Domestic Programs  Ad Hoc Committees Special ad hoc committees have been established to deal with short-term issues and projects. Tote Bag Task Force The Tote Bag Task Force successfully established uniform specifications and procedures for tote bags, enabling the industry to reduce costs and increase efficiency.  Issues Management Committee The Issues Management Committee identifies issues of current and potential concern, develops stand-by-position statements and ensures that the council is prepared to speak on behalf of the industry.  These issues include, but are not limited to, Allergy, Aflatoxin, Food Safety and Security, Biotechnology, Obesity, Pesticides, Microbiological Contamination, Salt and Trans-Fat.  The APC has a crisis management communications plan in place for emergency situations.  The Issues Management Committee identifies issues of current and potential concern, develops stand-by-position Good Management Practices The 2008 revision of the U.S. peanut industry’s Good Management Practices (GMP’s) demonstrates the industry’s commitment to providing safe, wholesome and nutritious peanuts and peanut products to the worldwide consumer. This document is designed to provide guidance to all segments of the peanut industry - from farm to factory. In the increasingly competitive global environment, the U.S. peanut industry is dedicated to providing the highest possible quality products to domestic and international consumers. The GMP's were updated on a section by section basis by dedicated and and experienced members of the peanut industry. Electronic Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) The electronic Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) Taskforce has been working for over 3 years to convert all the key quality and safety documents of the peanut industry into electronic copies with an associated data layer.  The documents will be used throughout the industry for both domestic and export customer, regulatory agencies and peanut shellers. This will enable official copies of the documents to be viewed on a secure USDA server.  The system will be available to the industry by late 2008.  The eTDE system will also be integrated with other electronic systems in importing countries in future years.   Domestic Marketing A new U.S. peanut industry DVD, Innovation Through Quality"  previewed in August 2006.. The video follows the peanut from the farm to the factory and focuses on technological and quality issues. Educational materials and recipe brochures are distributed nationwide. Science and Technology The Science and Technology Committee plays a key role in identifying and prioritizing research objectives for the U.S. peanut industry and has developed a strategic plan to direct research funding. Elimination of aflatoxin, pesticide management, and genetic modification are key issues. Industry Meetings Spring Conference This meeting is hosted by APC and includes board and committee meetings, as well as a meeting of The Peanut Foundation. Any other industry associations that wish to hold meetings during the conference are always invited to do so. The meeting also includes a general session which invites speakers to discuss current issues and concerns of the peanut industry.   USA Peanut Congress Hosted by the American Peanut Council, the American Peanut Shellers Association and the National Peanut Buying Points Association, this annual convention has become the largest annual industry meeting with participation by all segments of the industry. The Congress provides an opportunity for various industry associations to hold meetings at the same time and place, minimizing time and travel expense.  Winter Conference This meeting is hosted by APC and includes board and committee meetings, as well as a meeting of The Peanut Foundation. Any other industry associations that wish to hold meetings during the conference are always invited to do so. Similar to the Spring Conference, the meeting also includes a general session which invites speakers to discuss current issues and concerns of the peanut industry. The Peanut Foundation The Peanut Foundation, which provides funding to accomplish the industry's research objectives, has been revitalized and has benefited from full-time staff direction. This year, with increased contributions from the industry, the Foundation's funding budget was increased by 200%, enabling the acceleration of projects targeted at reducing the costs of production, enhancing the development of viable commercial seed varieties and assuring food safety.

American Peanut Council * 1500 King Street Suite 301 * Alexandria, VA 22314 Website Sitemap According to USDA regulations, American Peanut Council does not discriminate in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, exual orientation or marital or family status.