[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50802-50803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24781]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. FV96-923-1 NC]


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 to a 
currently approved information collection for Sweet Cherries Grown in 
Designated Counties in Washington, Marketing Order No. 923, and Fresh 
Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and Umatilla County, 
Oregon, Marketing Order No. 924.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 26, 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:

Washington Sweet Cherries

    Title: Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington, 
Marketing Order No. 923.
    OMB Number: 0581-0133.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.

Washington-Oregon Prunes

    Title: Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and 
Umatilla County, Oregon, Marketing Order No. 924.

[[Page 50803]]

    OMB Number: 0581-0134.
    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. Marketing 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 in referendum among producers. Such a process 
determines if the handling of the commodity is to be regulated. The 
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 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 AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
Washington cherry marketing order program and the Washington-Oregon 
fresh prune marketing order program. Both programs have been operating 
since 1957 and 1960, respectively.
    Both marketing orders authorize the issuance of grade, size, 
quality, maturity, pack, container, inspection, and reporting 
requirements. In addition, the Washington prune order also authorizes 
the issuance of container marking requirements. Both the Washington 
cherry order and Washington prune order also authorize the 
establishment of marketing research and development projects. The 
Washington prune order also authorizes the establishment of production 
research. Regulatory provisions apply to Washington cherries and prunes 
shipped both within and out of the production area to any market, 
except those specifically exempt. These forms enable the committees, 
and thus, the Secretary to better monitor exempt shipments and ensure 
compliance with provisions of the marketing orders and the AMAA.
    Under the Washington cherry and prune marketing orders, producers 
and handlers are nominated by their respective peers. These nominees 
then serve as representatives on their respective committees and 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 these marketing order programs. Handlers are asked to sign an 
agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the provisions of 
the respective orders whenever an 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 headquarters staff, and authorized employees of 
the committee. AMS is the primary user of the information and 
authorized committee employees are the secondary users.
    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 AMAA as expressed in both 
orders, and the rules and regulations issued under the orders.

Washington Cherries

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.199 hours per response.
    Respondents: Cherry producers and for-profit businesses handling 
sweet cherries produced in designated counties in Washington.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,265.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.273.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 69 hours.

Washington-Oregon Prunes

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.248 hours per response.
    Respondents: Prune producers and for-profit businesses handling 
fresh prunes produced in designated counties in Washington and Umatilla 
County, Oregon.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 413.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.22.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 23 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
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.
    Comments should reference either or both OMB No. 0581-0133 
(Washington Cherry Marketing Order No. 923), and OMB No. 0581-0134 
(Washington-Oregon Prune Marketing Order No. 924), and be sent to 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: September 23, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-24781 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P