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44043

Rules and Regulations Federal Register


Vol. 70, No. 146

Monday, August 1, 2005

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Washington, DC 20250–0237; 2001 crop year failing peanuts that had
contains regulatory documents having general Telephone (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202) not yet met disposition standards.
applicability and legal effect, most of which 720–8938; or E-mail: The initial Board was selected and
are keyed to and codified in the Code of dawana.clark@usda.gov, announced on December 5, 2002. A
Federal Regulations, which is published under kenneth.johnson@usda.gov or final rule finalizing the interim final
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
george.kelhart@usda.gov. rule was published in the Federal
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by Small businesses may request Register (68 FR 1145) on January 9,
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of information on complying with this rule 2003, to continue requiring all domestic
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing and imported peanuts marketed in the
REGISTER issue of each week. Order Administration Branch, Fruit and United States to be handled consistent
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 with the handling standards and
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP officially inspected against the quality
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; standards of the new program. The
Telephone: (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202) peanut quality and handling standards
Agricultural Marketing Service 720–8938, or E-mail: were later revised in rules published in
jay.guerber@usda.gov. the Federal Register (68 FR 46919,
7 CFR Part 996 August 7, 2003, and 68 FR 53490,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final
[Docket No. FV05–996–2 FR] rule is issued under section 1308 of the September 11, 2003). The provisions of
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act this program continue in force and
Change in Minimum Quality and effect until modified, suspended, or
of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–171), 7 U.S.C.
Handling Standards for Domestic and terminated.
7958, hereinafter referred to as the
Imported Peanuts Marketed in the Pursuant to the Farm Bill, USDA has
‘‘Farm Bill.’’
United States consulted with Board members in its
This final rule has been determined to
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, be not significant for purposes of review of the handling and quality
USDA. Executive Order 12866 and has not been standards for the 2005 and subsequent
ACTION: Final rule. reviewed by the Office of Management crop years. The quality and handling
and Budget. standards are intended to assure that
SUMMARY: This rule changes the peanut This final rule has been reviewed satisfactory quality and wholesome
quality and handling standards under Executive Order 12988, Civil peanuts are used in the domestic and
(Standards) to require that domestic and Justice Reform. This rule is not intended import peanut markets. All peanuts
imported peanuts be dried to 18 percent to have retroactive effect. This rule will intended for human consumption must
moisture or less prior to inspection and not preempt any State or local laws, be officially inspected and graded by the
to 10.49 percent or less prior to storing regulations, or policies, unless they Federal or Federal-State Inspection
or milling. Virginia-type peanuts used present an irreconcilable conflict with Service and, if necessary, undergo
for seed must be dried to 18 percent or this rule. chemical testing by a USDA laboratory
less prior to inspection and to 11.49 There are no administrative or a private laboratory approved by
percent or less prior to storing or procedures which must be exhausted USDA.
milling. The Standards and the Peanut prior to any judicial challenge to the Under the Standards, § 996.30(b)
Standards Board (Board) were provisions of this rule. Moisture. specifies ‘‘No handler or
established by the Department of importer shall receive or acquire farmers
Agriculture (USDA), pursuant to section Background stock peanuts for subsequent
1308 of the Farm Security and Rural Section 1308 of the Farm Bill requires disposition to human consumption
Investment Act of 2002. The Board that USDA take several actions with outlets containing more than 10.49
suggested changing the peanut quality regard to peanuts marketed in the percent moisture: Provided, That
and handling standards to allow United States. These include ensuring peanuts of a higher moisture may be
handlers and importers to receive or mandatory inspection on all peanuts received and dried to not more than
acquire high moisture peanuts to marketed in the United States; 10.49 percent moisture prior to storing
promote the development of new drying establishing the Board comprised of or milling: And Provided further, That
technologies, increase efficiencies, and producers and industry representatives Virginia-type peanuts used for seed may
reduce costs to the industry. to advise USDA; developing and be received or acquired containing up to
DATES: Effective August 2, 2005. implementing peanut quality and 11.49 percent moisture.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: handling standards; and modifying High Moisture peanuts are farmers
Dawana J. Clark or Kenneth G. Johnson, those quality and handling standards stock peanuts that have a moisture
DC Marketing Field Office, Marketing when needed. An interim final rule was content, when harvested, in excess of
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and published in the Federal Register (67 10.49 percent moisture. In order to
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; FR 57129) on September 9, 2002, ensure that high moisture peanuts are
Telephone (301) 734–5243, Fax: (301) terminating the previous peanut dried to or below 10.49 percent
734–5275; or George J. Kelhart, programs and establishing standards in moisture, growers must dry the peanuts
Technical Advisor, Marketing Order part 996 to insure the continued on individual wagons/trailers. Often
Administration Branch, Fruit and inspection of 2002 crop year peanuts farmers stock peanuts are dried, taken to
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 and subsequent crop year peanuts, 2001 a sheller or handler, inspected and
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, crop year peanuts not yet inspected, and found to still be too high in moisture

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44044 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 146 / Monday, August 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

content, and must then be returned for program issue requiring resolution grade of 60 or below because this
additional drying at the grower’s farm, before implementation of any relaxation requirement was not needed.
at a handler/buying point facility, or at to the moisture standard. Under FSA’s According to a number of Board
another location. Not all buying points, loan program (7 CFR part 1421), high members, allowing handlers and
especially those in very rural locations, moisture peanuts must be segregated by importers to receive high moisture
have drying facilities. This results in each producer and dried to a moisture peanuts will make a significant
inefficiencies and added costs. content not exceeding 10.49 percent. If difference in the efficient acquisition
Handlers may receive high moisture high moisture peanuts from more than and warehousing of farmers’ stock
peanuts, but cannot acquire them. one producer are commingled and batch peanuts each fall. Allowing the
Peanuts that are received cannot be dried, the quality, quantity, and identity acquisition of high moisture peanuts
mixed, commingled, or otherwise lose of each participating producer’s peanuts will allow handlers to accumulate a
their identity. Accordingly, any high would be lost. As such, those high number of loads and batch dry them at
moisture deliveries from a producer moisture peanuts would not be eligible the same time. These Board members
cannot be mixed with other high for FSA marketing assistance loans indicated that this will speed up drying,
moisture deliveries. However, the (MAL) or loan deficiency payments grading, and movement of peanuts at
inability to commingle high moisture (LDP). harvest, which will be especially
peanut deliveries for drying slows These concerns have been resolved important when adverse weather
producer deliveries and raises drying through a formulation of a revised FSA conditions during harvest could cause
costs. It also raises inspection costs Form 1007 (a combined inspection peanut quality to deteriorate. According
because the peanuts need to be certificate and calculation worksheet) to some Board members, it will also
inspected a second time to verify that identifies and tracks high moisture reduce drying and inspection costs.
moisture levels prior to handler peanut shipments. Inspection Therefore under this final rule,
acquisition. procedures and reporting requirements domestic and imported peanuts must be
In response to requests from industry will remain unchanged. The original dried to 18 percent or less prior to
representatives and the Board, USDA peanut inspection notesheet/certificate inspection and 10.49 percent or less
allowed a trial relaxation in incoming will accompany the FSA Form 1007 prior to storing or milling. Virginia-type
peanut requirements for the 2004 crop with the converted high moisture factors peanuts used for seed must be dried to
year only. The Standards continued to from the high moisture conversion 18 percent or less prior to inspection
require that farmers stock peanuts be charts provided by the National Peanut and to 11.49 percent or less prior to
dried to 10.49 percent moisture or less Research Laboratory (NPRL). The NPRL storing or milling.
before storing or milling. However, conversion charts provide a guide for Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
wagonloads or lots of farmers stock varying levels of high moisture peanuts
peanuts grading between 10.50 and received and the converted grade factor Pursuant to requirements set forth in
18.00 percent moisture could be equivalents when dried down to an the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Act
commingled at the handler/buying point acceptable level without having to (RFA) the Agricultural Marketing
facilities and bulk dried by handlers, in conduct another inspection on the dried Service (AMS) has considered the
agreement with each producer of the down peanuts. economic impact of this action on small
wagonloads or lots being commingled. The Board met on March 16, 2005, entities. Accordingly, AMS had
An 18 percent moisture limit recognizes and unanimously recommended that prepared this final regulatory flexibility
the difficulties in the Inspection § 996.30(b) be modified so that handlers analysis.
Service’s use of its shelling equipment and importers may receive or acquire The purpose of the RFA is to fit
for peanuts with more than 18 percent farmers stock peanuts for subsequent regulatory actions to the scale of
moisture. After drying, a second disposition to human consumption business subject to such actions in order
inspection for moisture only was outlets containing more than 18 percent that small businesses will not be unduly
performed by Federal-State inspectors moisture: Provided, That farmers stock or disproportionately burdened. There
and documented accordingly. When the peanuts be dried to not more than 18 are approximately 55 peanut shelling
commingled lot was presented for the percent moisture prior to inspection and entities, operating approximately 70
second ‘‘moisture only’’ inspection, the grading. If the sound mature kernel and shelling plants, and 25 importers subject
buying point was required to provide sound splits grade is 60 or below on a to regulation under the peanut program.
documentation identifying the specific lot of peanuts that contains moisture An estimated two-thirds of the handlers
lots or wagonloads which constituted between 10.49 and 18 percent, the lot of and nearly all of the importers may be
the commingled lot. In the event that a peanuts shall be dried to a moisture classified as small entities, based on
commingled lot, after bulk drying, still level of 10.49 or below prior to documents and reports received by
did not meet the 10.49 percent moisture inspection and grading. Valencia USDA. Small agricultural service firms,
requirement, the lot could be further peanuts may only be inspected at which include handlers and importers,
dried and re-inspected until the lot moisture levels 10.49 and below. All are defined by the Small Business
contained no more than 10.49 percent farmers stock peanuts must be dried to Administration (13 CFR 121.201), as
moisture. not more than 10.49 percent moisture those having annual receipts of less than
This temporary relaxation was the prior to storing or milling: Provided, $6,000,000.
culmination of several meetings and That Virginia-type peanuts used for seed An approximation of the number of
requests from the Board and the peanut must be dried to 18 percent or less prior peanut farms that could be considered
industry to bring the high moisture to inspection and to 11.49 percent or small agricultural businesses under the
issue to conclusion. The Board made less prior to storing or milling. SBA definition (less than $750,000 in
several recommendations regarding high On March 23, 2005, the Board’s annual receipts) can be obtained from
moisture peanuts in 2003 and 2004. implementation sub-committee the 2002 Agricultural Census, which is
However, prior to the Board’s recommended the removal from the the most recent information on the
discussion of any changes for 2005 crop Board’s recommendation of the number of farms categorized by size.
peanuts, the USDA’s Farm Service moisture requirement on peanuts with a There were 7,551 peanut farms with
Agency (FSA) identified an FSA sound mature kernel plus sound splits annual agricultural sales valued at less

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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 146 / Monday, August 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 44045

than $500,000 in 2002, representing 87 (Inspection Service) that will perform site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/
percent of the total number of peanut inspections under this peanut program. moab.html. Any questions about the
farms in the U.S. (8,640). Since the Importers of peanuts cover a broad compliance guide or compliance with
Agricultural Census does not use range of business entities, including this program should be sent to Jay
$750,000 in sales as a category, fresh and processed food handlers and Guerber at the previously mentioned
$500,000 in sales is the closest commodity brokers who buy address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
approximation. Assuming that most of agricultural products on behalf of CONTACT section.
the sales from those farms are others. Some large, corporate handlers
are also importers of peanuts. AMS is Information Collection
attributable to peanuts, the percentage
of small peanut farms in 2002 (less than not aware of any peanut producers who The Farm Bill specifies in section
$750,000 in sales) was likely a few imported peanuts during any of the 1601(c)(2)(A) that the standards
percentage points higher than 87 recent quota years. established pursuant to it, may be
percent, and may have shifted by a The majority of peanut importers have implemented without regard to the
small amount since 2002. Thus, the annual receipts under $6,000,000. Some Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
proportion of small peanut farms is importers use customs brokers’ import U.S.C. chapter 35). Furthermore, this
likely to be close to 90 percent. services. These brokers are usually held rule does not change the existing
According to the National accountable by the importer to see that information collection burden.
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), entry requirements under § 996.60 and Section 1601 of the Farm Bill also
the two-year average peanut production reporting and recordkeeping provides that promulgation of or
for the 2003 and 2004 crop years was requirements under § 996.71 are met. amendments to the standards may be
4.203 billion pounds, harvested from These reporting requirements are not implemented without extending
average acreage of 1.353 million, applied disproportionately to small interested parties an opportunity to
yielding an average of 3,106 pounds per customs brokers. comment. However, due to the nature of
acre. The average value of production In view of the foregoing, it can be the proposed changes, interested parties
for the two-year period was $816.904 concluded that the majority of peanut were provided 15 days to file comments.
million. The average grower price over producers, handlers, importers, and The proposed rule concerning these
the two-year period was $0.194 per above-mentioned entities may be changes was published in the Federal
pound, and the average value per classified as small businesses. Register (70 FR 35562) on June 21, 2005.
harvested acre was $604. Dividing the This final rule changes the minimum The rule was posted on the AMS Web
two year average value of production peanut quality and handling standards site specified above and was available
($816.904 million) by the estimated so that handlers may receive peanuts through the internet by the Office of the
8,640 peanut farms (2002 Agricultural with a moisture content of up to 18 Federal Register. The proposed rule
Census) yields an estimated average percent. The Board suggested changing provided that comments received by
peanut sales revenue per farm of the minimum peanut quality and July 6, 2005, would be considered in
approximately $94,440. Average peanut handling standards to allow handlers to finalizing the rulemaking action.
acreage per farm is 156. receive high moisture peanuts to A total of four comments were
The Agricultural Census provides promote the development of new drying received from a peanut shellers
data on the value of annual sales of all technologies, increase efficiencies and association, a peanut product
agricultural products from peanut farms reduce costs to the industry. manufacturers association, a peanut
in terms of ranges. The value of annual USDA has considered alternatives to growers association, and the Georgia
agricultural product sales of the median the suggested change to the quality and Peanut Commission. Three comments
peanut farm in 2002 was between handling standards. The Farm Bill were in support of the proposed rule.
$50,000 and $99,999. The median is the requires USDA to consult with the The comment from the peanut
midpoint ranging from the largest to the Board on these standards. An alternative commission stated that it wanted to be
smallest. would be to continue the current certain that grower interests were
Several producers may own a single standards for the 2005 crop year. The protected and that any proposed
farm jointly, or, conversely, a producer current Board’s recommended change to changes would not be detrimental to
may own several farms. In the peanut the handling and quality standards was growers. This rule would allow handlers
industry, there is, on average, more than raised during last year’s USDA/Board and importers to receive or acquire high
one producer per farm. Dividing the two standards review but was tabled until an moisture peanuts thereby promoting the
year average value of production of inter-agency collaboration (AMS and development of new drying
$816.904 million by 14,186 peanut FSA) could coordinate their respective technologies, increasing efficiencies and
producers (Farm Service Agency 2004 peanut handling and loan regulations. reducing costs to the overall industry.
estimate) results in an estimate of However, because of the anticipated This comment also mentioned an
average revenue per producer of benefits of the recommended change, additional concern pertaining to
approximately $57,585. USDA believes the implementation of comparable loan calculations on
The current 14 custom blanchers, 8 the Board’s suggested change is peanuts that have been dried to a
custom remillers, 4 oil mill operators, 4 preferable to continuing without suitable loan level. As stated previously
USDA and 15 USDA-approved private change. The Board’s meeting was open in this action, FSA has revised its Form
chemical (aflatoxin) laboratories are to a wide audience and all interested 1007 to identify and track high moisture
subject to this rule to the extent that persons were invited to attend the peanut shipments, including green
they must comply with reconditioning meeting and provide input. peanuts. Accordingly, no changes are
provisions under § 996.50 and reporting USDA has not identified any relevant made in the provisions as proposed.
and recordkeeping requirements under Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or It also is found that good cause exists
§ 996.71. conflict with this rule. A small business for not postponing the effective date of
These requirements are applied guide on complying with AMS fresh this rule until 30 days after publication
uniformly to these entities, whether fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop in the Federal Register (5 U.S.C. 553)
large or small. In addition, there are programs similar to this peanut program because producers and handlers are
currently 10 State inspection programs may be viewed at the following Web preparing for the 2005 crop year, which

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44046 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 146 / Monday, August 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

starts September 1. Further, handlers are AvCraft Dornier Model 328–300 off valves, and other components of the
aware of this rule, which was airplanes. This AD requires modifying environmental control system; installing
recommended at a public meeting. Also, the electrical wiring of the fuel pumps; markings at fuel wiring harnesses;
a 15-day comment period was provided installing insulation at the flow control replacing the wiring harness of the
for in the proposed rule and four and shut-off valves, and other auxiliary fuel system with a new wiring
comments were received as discussed components of the environmental harness; and installing insulated
herein. control system; installing markings at couplings in the fuel system; as
fuel wiring harnesses; replacing the applicable. That action also proposed to
List of Subjects 7 CFR Part 996 wiring harness of the auxiliary fuel require revising the Airworthiness
Food grades and standards, Imports, system with a new wiring harness; and Limitations section of the Instructions
Peanuts, Reporting and recordkeeping installing insulated couplings in the fuel for Continued Airworthiness to
requirements. system; as applicable. This AD also incorporate new inspections of the fuel
■ For the reasons set forth in the requires revising the Airworthiness tank system.
preamble, 7 CFR part 996 is amended as Limitations section of the Instructions
for Continued Airworthiness to Comments
follows:
incorporate new inspections of the fuel We provided the public the
PART 996—MINIMUM QUALITY AND tank system. This AD is prompted by opportunity to participate in the
HANDLING STANDARDS FOR the results of fuel system reviews development of this AD. We have
DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED PEANUTS conducted by the airplane considered the single comment that was
MARKETED IN THE UNITED STATES manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to submitted on the proposed AD.
reduce the potential of ignition sources
■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part inside fuel tanks, which, in combination Provide for Incorporation of Temporary
996 continues to read as follows: with flammable fuel vapors, could result Revision By Normal Revision Process
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7958. in fuel tank explosions and consequent The commenter requests that we
loss of the airplane. revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD
■ 2. Paragraph (b) of § 996.30 is revised DATES: This AD becomes effective to provide for incorporation of AvCraft
to read as follows: September 6, 2005. Temporary Revision (TR) ALD–028,
§ 996.30 Incoming quality standards. The incorporation by reference of dated October 15, 2003, into the body of
certain publications listed in the AD is the Airworthiness Limitations section of
(a) * * *
approved by the Director of the Federal the Instructions for Continued
(b) Moisture. Domestic and imported
Register as of September 6, 2005. Airworthiness document through the
peanuts shall be dried to 18 percent or
less prior to inspection and to 10.49 ADDRESSES: For service information normal revision process. The
percent or less prior to storing or identified in this AD, contact AvCraft commenter notes that the proposed AD,
milling: Provided, That Virginia-type Aerospace GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D– as written, would require the TR to
peanuts used for seed shall be dried to 82230 Wessling, Germany. remain in the Airworthiness Limitations
18 percent or less prior to inspection Docket: The AD docket contains the section forever. However, once the
and to 11.49 percent or less prior to proposed AD, comments, and any final information in the TR is incorporated
storing or milling. disposition. You can examine the AD into the Airworthiness Limitations
docket on the Internet at http:// section through the normal revision
* * * * * dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket process, the TR document will be
Dated: July 27, 2005. Management Facility office between 9 unnecessary.
Kenneth C. Clayton, a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through We agree. We have revised paragraph
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Friday, except Federal holidays. The (h) of this AD accordingly, and added a
Service. Docket Management Facility office new note, Note 1, to clarify the revised
[FR Doc. 05–15167 Filed 7–27–05; 4:10 pm] (telephone (800) 647–5227) is located on language in paragraph (h). These
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P the plaza level of the Nassif Building at changes will allow the TR to be
the U.S. Department of Transportation, removed from the Airworthiness
400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL–401, Limitations once the information in the
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Washington, DC. This docket number is TR has been incorporated into the
FAA–2005–21054; the directorate Airworthiness Limitations by the
Federal Aviation Administration identifier for this docket is 2005–NM– normal revision process.
054–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Explanation of Change to Applicability
14 CFR Part 39
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, We have revised the applicability of
[Docket No. FAA–2005–21054; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–054–AD; Amendment
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, this AD to identify model designations
39–14205; AD 2005–15–16] Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 as published in the most recent type
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington certificate data sheet for the affected
RIN 2120–AA64 98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125; model.
fax (425) 227–1149.
Airworthiness Directives; AvCraft Explanation of Changes to Tables 1 and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
Dornier Model 328–300 Airplanes 2 of Proposed AD
proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with
AGENCY: Federal Aviation an AD for certain AvCraft Dornier Tables 1 and 2 of the proposed AD
Administration (FAA), Department of Model 328–300 airplanes. That action, incorrectly referred to paragraphs that
Transportation (DOT). published in the Federal Register on do not exist in the referenced service
ACTION: Final rule. April 26, 2005 (70 FR 21346), proposed bulletins. We have revised Tables 1 and
to require modifying the electrical 2 of this AD to refer to the correct
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new wiring of the fuel pumps; installing paragraphs in the referenced service
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain insulation at the flow control and shut- bulletins.

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