Revised Quality and Handling Requirements and Entry Procedures for Imported Peanuts for 1999 and Subsequent Import Periods

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, with several modifications, the provisions of a proposed rule relaxing certain quality requirements; modifying entry procedures; revising handling requirements; reducing the reporting burden; and establishing a new reporting period for peanuts imported into the United States. Seven comments were received and are addressed in this final rule. Changes to the quality and handling requirements make the import requirements consistent, as required by law, with regulations covering domestically-produced peanuts under Marketing Agreement No. 146 (Agreement). Changes to import procedures and reporting requirements by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will improve efficiency of the importation process, ease the reporting burden, and provide importers with more time to meet peanut import regulation requirements. This final rule continues safeguard measures which prevent non-edible imported peanuts from being used in human consumption outlets in the United States. This rule will benefit peanut importers, handlers, and consumers by helping to ensure that all peanuts in the domestic marketplace comply with the same quality standards.