§7958 Miscellaneous Provisions

Summary

All peanuts sold in the United States must be officially inspected and graded by federal or federal‑state inspectors. The old Peanut Administrative Committee is ended. A new Peanut Standards Board will be set up to advise the Secretary on quality and handling rules for U.S. and imported peanuts. The Board will have 18 members: half peanut producers and half peanut industry representatives. The Secretary will appoint three producers and three industry reps from each of three regions: Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Florida), Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico), and Virginia/Carolina (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina). Board members serve three‑year terms, and the first set of appointments will be staggered so some serve 1, 2, or 3 years. The Secretary must talk with the Board before making or changing peanut quality or handling rules. One federal rule (Chapter 10 of title 5) does not apply to the Board. Finding and fixing any peanut quality problems must be a priority, and the Secretary must work with other federal and state agencies on safeguards. Imported peanuts must meet the same standards as U.S. peanuts. Money as needed may be appropriated to carry out the law, and the Board’s expenses are generally not counted against advisory committee expense limits unless specifically included. During a transition beginning May 13, 2002, the Secretary may name former Peanut Administrative Committee members to the new Board and move funds; the transition ends when new members are appointed or 180 days after May 13, 2002, whichever comes first. The rules take effect with the 2002 peanut crop.