[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 34628] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-16210] ======================================================================== 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. 64, No. 123 / Monday, June 28, 1999 / Notices [[Page 34628]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. FV-99-301] Request for 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) intent to request approval for information collection for a Federal-State Shipping Point Inspection Program Customer Service Survey. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 27, 1999 to be assured of consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rob Huttenlocker, Program Support Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2049-South, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; telephone (202) 720-0297, Fax (202) 720-5136, and Email FPB.DocketC[email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Federal-State Shipping Point Inspection Program Customer Service Survey. OMB Number: 0581-[ ]. Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of approval. Type of Request: Approval for information collection. Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 USC 1621-1627) (Act) directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the marketing of agricultural products. Under the Act, AMS offers grading, quality assurance, and certification services for a fee for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products based on U.S. grade standards and other contract specifications. The use of grading services and grade standards is voluntary unless required by Federal Marketing Order or Agreement Regulations governing domestic, import, or export shipments. There are about 9,000 current users of the AMS Fresh Products Branch's shipping point grading services and about the same number of potential users. These customers are located at shipping point locations nationwide and represent a diverse mixture of small, medium and large harvesting, packing and shipping companies and cooperatives. These companies request product grading and certification services from the Federal-State Inspection (FSI) programs located in their areas. The FSI programs are supervised and audited by USDA Federal-State Shipping Point Supervisors and/or Federal Program Managers with national program coordination provided by the Fresh Products Branch in Washington, D.C. Customer feedback is a vital component of successfully completing the Fresh Products Branch's mission. This customer survey would be conducted to evaluate how well the Fresh Products Branch, in cooperation with various state shipping point grading services, is meeting its commitment to customer service. The survey would not be continuous over the 3 year approval period but would be done in two parts, first current users, then potential users. Information requested in the survey includes meeting levels of satisfaction with program services, including those services provided by state personnel; rating program oversight provided by USDA; providing input regarding shipping point inspection fees; and providing levels of interest in new quality, certification and related services that may be offered by USDA. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .1667 hours per response (10 minutes). Respondents: Growers, packers, shippers, and brokers of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and speciality crops, and financially interested parties. Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,000 Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,000 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Rob Huttenlocker, Program Support Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2049-South, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. Comments may also be sent via Email to FPB.DocketC[email protected]. 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: June 21, 1999. Robert C. Keeney, Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. [FR Doc. 99-16210 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P