Amendment of Provisions Regulating Domestically Produced Peanuts Handled by Persons Not Subject to the Peanut Marketing Agreement

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without modification, the provisions of an interim rule that amended, for 1995 and subsequent crop years, several certification and identification requirements established for peanuts handled by persons not signatory to Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146 (Agreement). The interim final rule provided for a chemical analysis exemption for superior grade shelled peanuts and added addresses and updated contact numbers of chemical analysis laboratories. The changes are consistent with industry operating practices and bring the non- signatory handling requirements into conformity with requirements specified under the Agreement. Continuation of this rule should reduce the regulatory burden and handling costs on non-signatory peanut handlers.