[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49296-49297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24041]


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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 183 / Thursday, September 19, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 49296]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-958-4 NC]


Notice of Request 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 (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 Onions Grown in Certain 
Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing 
Order No. 958.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 18, 1996.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Robert J. Curry, Northwest 
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit 
and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, room 369, Portland, OR 97204; 
telephone: (503) 326-2724; Fax: (503) 326-7440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and 
Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing Order 958.
    OMB Number: 0581-0087.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1996.
    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 high 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 Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order, which has been 
operating since 1957, authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, 
maturity, pack, inspection, and reporting requirements. Regulatory 
provisions apply to onions shipped both within and outside 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 
Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order program.
    Under the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order, onions 
shipped for processing, planting, livestock feed, and charity are 
exempt from minimum grade, size, maturity, assessment, and inspection 
requirements. Shipments for such onions may only be made under a 
special purpose shipment exemption granted by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon 
Onion Committee (Committee), which locally administers the marketing 
order. Such an exemption, termed a Certificate of Privilege, helps to 
ensure that special purpose onions do not enter fresh market channels. 
Any handler desiring to ship onions under a Certificate of Privilege 
must first apply to the Committee for an exemption from the 
regulations. Such exemptions must be approved annually. Once an 
exemption is granted, the handler must submit a diversion report to the 
Committee on each individual shipment made to the authorized outlets. 
Further, any processor purchasing onions that fail to meet fresh market 
grade, must certify such onions will not be diverted to the fresh 
market. Any time a handler alters inspected onions by peeling, 
chopping, or slicing, a report must be filed with the Committee 
indicating the intended use and destination of the onions. These forms 
enable the Committee, and thus, the Secretary to better monitor special 
purpose onion shipments and ensure compliance with provisions of the 
marketing order and the AMAA.
    Onion 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.
    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 0.1368 hours per response.
    Respondents: Onion producers, handlers, and processors handling 
fresh and processed onions produced in designated counties in Idaho, 
and in Malheur County, Oregon.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 484.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.035.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 215 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;

[[Page 49297]]

    (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.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0087 and Marketing Order No. 
958, and be sent to USDA in care of Robert J. Curry, Northwest 
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, 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: September 13, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-24041 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P