[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66592-66593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33166]


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 Notices
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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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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 244 / Friday, December 19, 1997 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
(Docket No. FV97-33-1 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.

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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 the Export Fruit Acts, 
Apple and Pear Act and the Export Grape and Plum Act.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received February 17, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 
96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456, Telephone (202) 720-
8139 or Fax (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export Apple and Pear Act (7 CFR 
part 33) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Fresh apples, pears and grapes grown in the United States 
shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum quality and other 
requirements established by regulations issued under the Export Apple 
and Pear Act (7 U.S.C. 581-590) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 
U.S.C. 591-599). Currently, plums are not regulated under the Export 
Grape and Plum Act. The regulations issued under the Export Grape and 
Plum Act (7 CFR part 35) cover fresh grapes grown in the United States 
and shipped to foreign destinations, except Canada and Mexico. The 
regulations issued under the Export Apple and Pear Act (7 CFR part 3) 
cover fresh apples and pears grown in the United States shipped to 
foreign destinations. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to 
oversee the implementation of the export fruit acts and issue 
regulations regarding these commodities.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the export 
fruit acts. The Export Apple and Pear Act and the Export Grape and Plum 
Act have been in effect since 1933 and 1960 respectively.
    Both Acts were designed to promote the foreign trade of the United 
States in apples, pears, grapes and plums; to protect the reputation of 
these American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or 
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign 
commerce.
    The regulations issued under the Acts (Sec. 33.11 for apples and 
pears, and Sec. 35.12 for grapes) require that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) officially inspect and certify that each shipment of 
fresh apples, pears, and grapes is in compliance with all pertinent 
regulatory requirements effective under the Acts. Persons who ship 
fresh apples, pears, and grapes grown in the United States to foreign 
destinations must have such shipment inspected and certified by Federal 
or Federal-State Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors. The FSIS is 
administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the export fruit 
acts, and their use is necessary.
    The information collection requirements in this request is 
primarily in the form of recordkeeping. Information needed by USDA is 
available on official Federal-State Inspection Service (FSIS) 
inspection certificates, and on phytosanitary inspection certificates 
issued by USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.
    Export carriers are required to keep on file for three years copies 
of inspection certificates for apples, pears, and grapes transported by 
them. Export shippers are required to label certain containers of 
apples, pears, and grapes used for export shipments.
    The number of exporters has remained fairly constant in recent 
years. There are an estimated 115 exporters who use the required forms 
and the corresponding forms have remained constant.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
periodically reviewed to ensure that they place as small a burden on 
the exporter as possible. Procedures have been streamlined to assure 
efficiency in administering the Acts.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.9528 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit export shippers and export carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 115.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.96.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,204.
    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 Programs, 
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 during regular business hours 
at the same address.

[[Page 66593]]

    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: December 15, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-33166 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P