[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 7464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4503]



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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7464]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV95-997]


Notice for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
(AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently 
approved information collection in support of the AMS/Provisions 
Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced Peanuts Handled by 
Persons Not Subject to the Peanut Marketing Agreement based on re-
estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 29, 1996.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Richard Lower, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2523-S, Washington, 
D.C., 20090-6456, (202) 720-2020 or Fax: (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Provisions Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced 
Peanuts Handled by Person's Not Subject to the Peanut Marketing 
Agreement.
    OMB Number: 0581-0163.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: After aflatoxin was found in peanuts in the mid-1960's, 
the domestic peanut industry has sought to minimize aflatoxin 
contamination in peanuts and peanut products. Under authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act), as amended (7 
U.S.C. 601-674), Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146 and the Peanut 
Administrative Committee (Committee) were established by the Secretary 
in 1965. The Agreement was signed by a majority of domestic peanut 
handlers (signatory handlers).
    Public Law 101-220, enacted December 12, 1989, amended section 608b 
of the Act to require that all handlers who have not signed the 
Agreement (non-signatory handlers) be subject to quality, handling, and 
inspection requirements to the same extent and manner as are required 
under the Agreement. Regulations to implement Pub. L. 101-220 were 
issued and made effective on December 4, 1990 (55 FR 49983). It is 
estimated that 5 percent of the domestic peanut crop is marketed by 
non-signatory handlers and the remainder of the crop is handled by 
signatory handlers.
    The objective of the Agreement and the non-signatory handling 
regulations (7 CFR part 997) is to ensure that only wholesome peanuts 
enter edible market channels. Under both regulations, farmers stock 
peanuts with visible Aspergillus flavus mold (the principal source of 
aflatoxin) are required to be diverted to non-edible uses. Both 
regulations also provide that shelled peanuts meeting minimum outgoing 
quality requirements must be chemically analyzed for aflatoxin 
contamination.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .33 hours per response.
    Respondents: Peanut handlers and service industries.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 45.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 26.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 377.55 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Richard 
Lower, Marketing Specialist, at (202) 720-2020.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of USDA's oversight 
of the program; (2) the accuracy of the collection burden estimate and 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used in estimating the 
burden on respondents; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be requested; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden, including the use of automated and electronic technologies.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0163 and be sent to: Docket 
Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 
2523-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456. Comments should reference the 
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. All comments received will be available for public inspection 
in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours at the 
same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: February 22, 1996.
Martha B. Ransom,
Acting Deputy Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-4503 Filed 2-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P