[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56509-56510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28025]


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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 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 213 / Friday, November 1, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 56509]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-920-4 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 to a 
currently approved information collection for Kiwifruit Grown in 
California, Marketing Order No. 920.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 31, 1996 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Charles L. Rush, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 
2523-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456, or FAX (202) 720-5698; or Rose M. 
Aguayo, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, suite 
102B, Fresno, California 93721; telephone: (209) 487-5901, Fax # (209) 
487-5906.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Kiwifruit Grown in California, Marketing Order 920.
    OMB Number: 0581-0149.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of 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), industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the 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 
kiwifruit marketing order program, which has been operating since 1984.
    The kiwifruit marketing order authorizes the issuance of quality 
regulations and inspection requirements. Regulatory provisions apply to 
kiwifruit shipped within and outside of the production area, except 
those specifically exempt. The order also has authority for production 
and marketing research and development projects, including paid 
advertising.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and growers to submit certain information. Much of this information is 
compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to kiwifruit supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Kiwifruit may be shipped 
beginning in October and ending in April, and these forms are utilized 
accordingly. A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote on amendments 
to or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, kiwifruit 
growers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as 
representatives on the Committee must file nomination forms with the 
Secretary.
    The forms covered under this information collection 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 
Act as expressed in 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. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .335 hours per response.
    Respondents: Kiwifruit growers and handlers in the designated 
production area in California.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 247.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.032.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 665 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the functioning of the kiwifruit marketing 
order program; (2) the accuracy of the collection burden estimate and 
the validity of methodology and assumptions used in estimating the 
burden of respondents; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information requested; and (4) ways to minimize the 
burden, including use of automated electronic technologies.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0149 and Kiwifruit Marketing 
Order No. 920, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-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 USDA business hours at 14th and 
Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C., room 2525 South Building.
    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.


[[Page 56510]]


    Dated: October 28, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Divison.
[FR Doc. 96-28025 Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P