[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38250-38251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18821]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV97-931-1 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Fresh Bartlett Pears 
Grown in Oregon and Washington, Marketing Order No. 931.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received September 15, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tershirra T. Yeager, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 
96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456, or Telephone: (202) 
720-2491, Fax (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Fresh Bartlett Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington, 
Marketing Order No. 931.
    OMB Number:  0581-0092.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1998.
    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 
(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 
fresh Bartlett pear marketing order program, which has been operating 
since 1966.
    The fresh Bartlett pear marketing order authorizes the issuance of 
quality regulations and inspection requirements. Regulatory provisions 
apply to fresh Barlettt pears 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 Fresh Bartlett Pear Marketing 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 fresh Bartlett pear 
supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to 
effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Fresh Bartlett 
pears are harvested from early August through early September and are 
marketed through December, 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, fresh Bartlett pear 
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.

[[Page 38251]]

    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. 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 .555 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fresh Bartlett pear growers and handlers in the 
designated production areas in Oregon and Washington.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,565.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.3546.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1176.
    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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, DC, 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 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: July 3, 1997.
Sharon Bomer Lauritsen,
Acting Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-18821 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M