[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 82 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23048-23049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10774]


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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. 64, No. 82 / Thursday, April 29, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 23048]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV99-905-2 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 Oranges, Grapefruit, 
Tangerines, and Tangelos grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 905.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 28, 1999.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tershirra T. Yeager, 
Program Assistant, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, 
DC 20090-6456; Telephone: (202) 720-5127 or Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in 
Florida, Marketing Order No. 905.
    OMB Number: 0581-0094.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1999.
    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 
Florida citrus marketing order program, which has been operating since 
1939.
    The Florida citrus marketing order regulates the handling of 
oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida, 
hereinafter referred to as the ``order''. The order authorizes the 
issuance of grade, size, container, and pack regulations. It also 
authorizes the limitation of shipments of certain grades or sizes. 
Regulatory provisions apply to oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and 
tangelos shipped outside of the production area, except for those 
shipments specifically exempt.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Citrus Administrative Committee (committee), the agency responsible 
for local administration of the order, to require handlers and 
producers 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 citrus supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the Act and order. As shipments occur 
throughout the year, these forms are utilized accordingly. A USDA form 
is used to allow producers to vote on amendments to the order and 
whether the order should be continued. In addition, producers and 
handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives 
on the committee must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    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 
AMAA as expressed in the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the committee. AMS is the primary user of the information and 
authorized committee employees are the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this proposed 
collection of information is estimated to average 0.16915 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Florida citrus producers and for-profit businesses 
handling fresh citrus.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1176.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.02.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 204 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 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0094 and the Florida Citrus

[[Page 23049]]

Marketing Order No. 905, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, 
DC 20090-6456; Fax: (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: 
[email protected]. 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 in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, room 2525-S.
    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: April 21, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-10774 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P