A clear sign that the national peanut belt has headed in new directions…
USDA has issued a proposed rule and invites comments on adding the state of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state under the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order). The Order is administered by the National Peanut Board with oversight by USDA. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by January 22, 2014.
Under the Order, primary peanut producing states must maintain a three-year average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Arkansas’s peanut production meets this requirement.
Primary peanut-producing states also have a seat on the Board, and this proposal would add a seat on the Board for the state of Arkansas. The Board recommended this action to ensure that the Board’s representation reflects changes in the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments online at http://www.regulations.gov; by mail to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; or by fax at 202-205-2800.
All comments should reference the document number (AMS-FV-13-0042) and the date and page number of the issue of the Federal Register (77368) and will be made available for public inspection, including name and address, if provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.
