[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]


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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 83 / Wednesday, April 30, 1997 / 
Notices  

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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.

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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 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)

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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