Assessment Obligation for 1995-96 Crop Year Peanuts Under 7 CFR Part 997; Peanut Handlers Not Subject to Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without modification, the provisions of an interim final rule which imposed administrative assessments on farmers stock peanuts received or acquired by handlers who are not signatory (non-signatory handlers) to Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146 (Agreement). The assessment rate for 1995-96 crop year peanuts continues at $.70 per net ton. The interim final rule also clarified which categories of farmers stock peanuts are assessable and established that non-signatory handlers shall submit their pro rata assessment to the Secretary of Agriculture. The assessment rate is the same as the administrative assessment established by the Department on handlers who are signers of the Agreement (signatory handlers).