[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 55691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26803]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 198 / Thursday, October 14, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55691]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-501-N]


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) request for comments from the fruit, vegetable and 
ornamental industry to improve or change the procedures for collecting 
information used to compile and generate new and expand existing fruit, 
vegetable and ornamental reports to assist the trade in making 
production and marketing decisions.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 13, 1999, 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Terry C. Long, Chief; Fruit 
and Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS-
USDA, Room 2503 South Building, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-
6456; Telephone: (202) 720-2745, Fax: (202) 720-0547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market News.
    OMB Number: 0581-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for fruit, 
vegetable and ornamental production and to facilitate trading by 
providing a price base used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to 
market product.
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), 
section 203(g) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination 
of marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    The fruit and vegetable industry provides information on a 
voluntary basis, and is gathered through confidential telephone and 
face-to-face interviews by market reporters. Reporters request 
supplies, demand, and prices of over 400 fresh fruit, vegetable, nut 
ornamental, and other specialty crops.
    The fruit and vegetable market news reports are used by academia, 
but are primarily used by the fruit, vegetable and ornamental trade, 
which includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, and producers. 
The fruit and vegetable industry requested that the Department of 
Agriculture issue price and supply market reports for commodities of 
regional, national and international significance in order to assist 
them in making immediate production and marketing decisions and as a 
guide to the amount of product in the supply channel.
    Many government agencies use the reports to make their market 
outlook projections. Data from these reports is included in the 
information forwarded to the Secretary's office as well, as his staff, 
as needed, to keep them appraised of the current market conditions and 
movement of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental commodities in the United 
States. Economists at most major agricultural colleges and universities 
use the reports to make both short and long term market projections. 
The data is used extensively by consulting firms and private economists 
to aid them in determining available supplies and current pricing.
    The information is collected, compiled, and disseminated by an 
impartial third party, in a manner which protects the confidentiality 
of the reporter. Further, since the Government is a purchaser of fruits 
and vegetables, a system to monitor the collection and reporting of 
data is needed.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .033 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industry, or other 
for-profit businesses, individuals or households, farms, or Federal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,361.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 121,010.
    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 may be sent to: Terry 
C. Long, Chief, Fruit and Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS-USDA, Room 2503 South Building, PO Box 96456, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: October 7, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-26803 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P