[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 23429-23430] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-11108] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ 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 appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 83 / Wednesday, April 30, 1997 / Notices [[Page 23429]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. FV-97-928-1NC] Papayas Grown in Hawaii; Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Papayas Grown in Hawaii, Marketing Order No. 928. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 30, 1997 to be assured of consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Terry Vawter, California Marketing Field Office, F & V Division, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, CA, 93721, telephone (209) 487-5901 or facsimile (209) 487-5906 or Charles L. Rush, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, DC (202) 720-5053 or Fax # (202) 720-5698. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Papaya Grown in Hawaii, Marketing Order No. 928. OMB Number: 0581-0102. 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. Order 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 USC 601-674), industries enter into marketing order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the order's 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 papaya marketing order program, which has been in operation since 1971. The order authorizes production and marketing research and development projects, including paid advertising. The research and promotion activities are paid for by assessments on handlers of papaya. The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize the Papaya 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 papaya supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Papayas may be shipped year-round 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, papaya growers and grower/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. Shipments of Hawaiian papayas have decreased in recent years due to an infestation of Papaya Ringspot Virus. However, there has been little change in the number of growers and handlers. The committee estimates that there are approximately 400 producers and 60 handlers of papaya currently operating in the production area. The committee added three new forms to its information collection. The committee added the Handler Information/Update Form which asks handlers to provide information such as their current address. A Transgenic Seed Distribution Registration Form is used to determine how many handlers will need to plant transgenic seeds which are resistant to papaya ringspot virus. The committee also approved the use of a Crop Report which will ask handlers how many acres are planted and harvested. Use of these forms is authorized under Sec. 928.60 of the order. The addition of these forms to the current information request will increase the burden. 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 .319 per response. Respondents: Hawaiian papaya growers and handlers and two public members in the production area of Hawaii. Estimated Number of Respondents: 75. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 51.6. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1153. 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 a 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) [[Page 23430]] ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden, including use of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0102 and Hawaiian Papaya Marketing Order No. 928, and be mailed to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, PO Box 96456, room 2523-S, Washington, DC, 20090-6456. Comments should reference the docket number and the date and page 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. SW, Washington, DC, Room 22523 South Building. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments also will become a matter of the public record. Dated: April 24, 1997. Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Deputy Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division. [FR Doc. 97-11108 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P