Specialty Crops; Import Regulations; Extension of Reporting Period for Peanuts Imported Under 1997 Import Quotas

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which removed the 23-day reporting requirement and established a new date for importers to report disposition of peanuts imported under 1997 peanut import quotas. This rule also finalizes the establishment of a 120-day reporting period for any peanuts imported in excess of the 1997 import quotas. The 23-day report period established in the import regulation is impractical given the volume of peanuts imported under January 1 and April 1 peanut import quotas. These changes are for the 1997 peanut quota periods only. This rule is deemed necessary by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to provide peanut importers with sufficient time to meet the quality and reporting requirements of the peanut import regulation.