[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 249 (Thursday, December 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67996-67997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32852]


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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. 249 / Thursday, December 26, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 67996]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV96-944-2, FV96-980-1, FV96-999-3]
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 a currently 
approved information collection for specified exempt import 
commodities.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 24, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments must be sent in triplicate to the 
Docket Clerk, USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, D.C. 
20090-6456; or, FAX: (202) 720-5698. All comments should reference the 
docket number, the date, and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. Comments will be made available for public inspection in the 
Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Shoshana Avrishon, USDA, AMS, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: 202-
720-6467.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Specified Commodities Imported into the United States Exempt 
from Import Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0581-0167.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937, As Amended; 7 U.S.C. 601-674 (Act) requires that whenever the 
Secretary of Agriculture issues grade, size, quality, or maturity 
regulations under domestic marketing orders for certain commodities, 
the same or comparable regulations on imports of those commodities must 
be issued. Import regulations apply only during those periods when 
domestic marketing order regulations are in effect. Currently, the 
following commodities are subject to Section 8e import regulations: 
avocados, dates (other than dates for processing), filberts, 
grapefruit, table grapes, kiwifruit, limes, olives (other than Spanish-
style olives), onions, oranges, Irish potatoes, prunes, raisins, 
tomatoes, and walnuts. However, imports of these commodities are exempt 
from such requirements if they are imported for such outlets as 
processing, charity, animal feed, seed, and distribution to relief 
agencies, when those outlets are exempt under the applicable marketing 
order.
    Safeguard procedures in the form of importer and receiver reporting 
requirements are used to ensure that the imported commodity is provided 
to authorized exempt outlets. The safeguard procedures are similar to 
the reports currently required by most domestic marketing orders. The 
import regulations require importers and receivers of imported fruit, 
vegetable, and specialty crops to submit a form, as provided in 
sections 944.350, 980.501, and 999.500.
    An importer wishing to import commodities for exempt purposes must 
complete, in triplicate, prior to importation, an Importer's Exempt 
Commodity Form (FV-6). Copy one is presented to the U.S. Customs 
Service. The importer files copy two with the Marketing Order 
Administration Branch (MOAB) of the Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, 
within two days after the commodity enters the United States. The third 
copy of the form accompanies the exempt shipment to its intended 
destination. The receiver certifies that the commodity has been 
received and that it will be utilized for authorized exempt purposes. 
The receiver then files copy three with MOAB, within two days after 
receiving the commodity.
    The Department of Agriculture (Department) utilizes this 
information to ensure that imported goods destined for exempt outlets 
are given no less favorable treatment than that afforded to domestic 
goods destined for such exempt outlets. These exemptions are consistent 
with Section 8e import regulations under the Act.
    This form requires the minimum amount of information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the orders, and its use is 
necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act as expressed in the orders, 
and to administer Section 8e compliance activities.
    The information collected is used primarily by authorized 
representatives of the Department, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarters staff. AMS is the primary user of 
the information.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Importers and receivers of exempt commodities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 714.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 119 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 
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 
respond, including use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technologies.
    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.


[[Page 67997]]


    Dated: December 17, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-32852 Filed 12-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P