[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 173 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46760-46761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22660]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 173 / Thursday, September 5, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 46760]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-946-3NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision of a 
currently approved information collection for Irish Potatoes Grown in 
Washington, Marketing Order No. 946.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 4, 1996 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Teresa L. Hutchinson, 
Marketing Specialist, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Room 369, Portland, OR 97204, Tel: 
(503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington, Marketing Order No. 946.
    OMB Number: 0581-0070.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of good quality product and adequate returns to 
producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), marketing order programs are 
established if favored by producers in referenda. The handling of the 
commodity is regulated. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to 
oversee order operations and issue regulations recommended by a 
committee of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The Washington potato marketing order, which has been operating 
since 1949, authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, maturity, 
pack, inspection, and reporting requirements. Regulatory provisions 
apply to potatoes shipped both within and out of the production area to 
any market, except those specifically exempt.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
Washington potato marketing order program.
    Under the Washington potato marketing order, potatoes sent to 
processing are exempt from inspection and grade requirements, but must 
be shipped under a special purpose shipment exemption. To ensure good 
quality fresh market shipments, handlers must notify the State of 
Washington Potato Committee (committee), which locally administers the 
marketing order, of such special purpose shipments. Further, any 
business which operates as a potato canner, freezer, processor, or pre-
peeler must register with the committee. Also, shipments of potatoes 
from areas where inspection is not readily available are exempt from 
inspection requirements, but handlers must apply for a modification of 
inspection exemption. The order requires handlers to notify the 
committee of the disposition of any potatoes that fail to meet the 
handling requirements. These forms enable the committee, and thus, the 
Secretary to better monitor exempt shipments and ensure compliance with 
provisions of the marketing order and the AMAA.
    Potato producers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to 
serve as representatives on the committee must file nomination forms 
with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    These forms require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the order, and their use is 
necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA as expressed in the order, 
and the rules and regulations issued under the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the committee. AMS is the primary user of the information and 
authorized committee employees are the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.1505 hours per response.
    Respondents: Potato producers and for-profit businesses handling 
fresh potatoes and potatoes for processing produced in Washington.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 490.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.976.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 246 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of the 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

[[Page 46761]]

    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0070 and Washington Potato 
Marketing Order No. 946, and be sent to the USDA in care of Teresa L. 
Hutchinson, Marketing Specialist, Northwest Marketing Field Office, 
Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Room 369, Portland, OR 
97204. All comments received will be available for public inspection 
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 become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: August 29, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-22660 Filed 9-04-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P