Arkansas could be added to the list of primary peanut-producing states under proposed USDA rule.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed rule which invites comments on adding Arkansas to that list under the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order).  The Order is administered by the National Peanut Board with oversight by USDA. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by January 22, 2014.

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Under the order, primary peanut-producing states must maintain a three-year average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Arkansas’s peanut production meets this requirement.

Primary peanut-producing states also have a seat on the Board, and this proposal would add a seat for Arkansas. The Board recommended this action to ensure that the Board’s representation reflects changes in the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov. or to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; or by fax at (202) 205-2800.

All comments should reference the document number (AMS-FV-13-0042)and the date and page number of the issue of the Federal Register (7 CFR Part 1216) and will be made available for public inspection, including name and address, if provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.

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