[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47733-47734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23017]


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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 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 176 / Tuesday, September 10, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 47733]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-911-5 NC]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection for Limes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 
911, and Avocados Grown in South Florida, Marketing Order No. 915.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 12, 1996 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2522-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; 
telephone: 202-720-5127; or Aleck J. Jonas, Marketing Specialist, 
Southeast Marketing Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. 
Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 33883; telephone: (941) 299-4770, Fax 
(941) 299-5169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Limes Grown in Florida

    Title: Limes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 911.
    OMB Number: 0581-0091.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.

Avocados Grown in South Florida

    Title: Avocados Grown in South Florida, Marketing Order No. 915.
    OMB Number: 0581-0078.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 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. The marketing orders' regulations 
help ensure adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate 
returns to producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into 
marketing order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to 
oversee the marketing order operations and issue regulations 
recommended by a committee of representatives from each commodity 
industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
Florida lime and avocado marketing order programs, which have been 
operating since 1955 and 1954, respectively.
    The lime order authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, 
container, pack, and flow-to-market regulations. The avocado order 
authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, maturity, container, 
and pack regulations. Both orders authorize production research, and 
market research and development. Regulatory provisions apply to limes 
and avocados shipped both within and out of the production area to any 
market, except those specifically exempt.
    The orders, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Florida Lime Administrative Committee and the Avocado 
Administrative Committee as the agencies responsible for local 
administration of the orders. The orders require handlers and producers 
to submit certain information. Much of this information is compiled in 
aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in marketing 
decisions.
    The committees have developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the committees relating to lime and avocado 
supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to 
effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and the marketing order 
programs. Florida limes and avocados are shipped throughout the year, 
and these forms are utilized accordingly. A Department form is used to 
allow producers to vote on amendments to or continuance of the 
marketing orders. In addition, lime and avocado producers and handlers 
who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the 
committees must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the orders 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 orders. Such referenda ballots are included in this request.
    These forms require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the orders, and their use is 
necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act as expressed in the orders.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the Department, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of 
the respective committees. AMS is the primary user of the information 
and authorized committee employees are the secondary users.

Limes Grown in Florida

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.13 hours per response.
    Respondents: Lime producers and for-profit businesses handling 
fresh limes produced in Florida.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 55.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 14.1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 101 hours.

Avocados Grown in South Florida

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.11 hours per response.

[[Page 47734]]

    Respondents: Avocado producers and for-profit businesses handling 
fresh avocados produced in Florida.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 208.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.48.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 103 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the 
marketing orders and the Department's oversight of those programs, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the AMS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection 
of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collections techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments should reference either or both the OMB No. 0581-0091 (the 
Florida Lime Marketing Order No. 911), and OMB No. 0581-0078 (the 
Florida Avocado Marketing Order No. 915), and be sent to USDA in the 
care of Caroline C. Thorpe or Aleck J. Jonas at the addresses above.
    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: September 3, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-23017 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P