Peanuts Marketed in the United States; Changes in Handling and Disposition Requirements

This rule relaxes, for 1996 and subsequent crop peanuts, several provisions regulating the handling and disposition of domestically and foreign-produced peanuts marketed in the United States. The rule eliminates several requirements covering the disposition of inedible peanuts. At the same time, it provides safeguard measures including amendments to the aflatoxin provisions to prevent inedible peanuts from entering human consumption outlets. The rule increases opportunities for reconditioning failing peanut lots and reduces inspection and handling costs to handlers and importers. The changes were recommended by the Peanut Administrative Committee (Committee), the administrative agency which oversees the quality assurance program under Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146 (7 CFR Part 998, Agreement). By law, the same or similar regulations issued under the Agreement also must be issued under Part 997 regulating non- signatory peanut handlers, and Part 999.600 regulating peanut importers. This rule includes changes recommended by the Department to help ensure effective safeguard measures. The changes should enable the industry to be more competitive in the changing international peanut market.