[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61241-61242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29488]


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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. 64, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 61241]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV99-917-1 NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of revision 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 and revision to the 
currently approved information collection for Peaches Grown in 
California, Marketing Order No. 917 and Winter Pears Grown in Oregon 
and Washington, Marketing Order No. 927.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 10, 2000 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tershirra T. Yeager, 
Marketing Assistant, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Post Office Box 96456, Room 2525-S, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456, Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-
5698; or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Peaches Grown in California, Marketing Order No. 917; OMB 
number 0581-0080; Winter Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington, 
Marketing Order No. 927; OMB number 0581-0089.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 0581-0080 expires on May 31, 2000 and 
0581-0089 expires on July 31, 2000.
    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.

California Peaches

    The California peach marketing order program, which has been 
operating since 1939, authorizes the issuance of grade, size, and 
maturity regulations, inspection requirements, and marketing and 
production research including paid advertising. Regulatory provisions 
apply to peaches shipped within and out of the area of production to 
any market, except those specifically exempted by the marketing order.
    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 
California peach marketing order program.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Peach Commodity Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for 
local administration of the order, to require handlers 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 convenience to persons who 
are required to file information with the Committee relating to peach 
production and supplies, shipments, inventories, and other information 
needed to effectively carry out the purposes of the AMAA and the order. 
A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote on amendments or 
continuance of the marketing order. In addition, peach growers and 
handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives 
on the Committee must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    These forms require a minimum of 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. 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 0.726 hours per response.
    Respondents: California peach producers and for-profit businesses 
handling fresh peaches produced in California.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 721.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.957.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,411 hours.

Winter Pears

    The winter pear marketing order authorizes the issuance of grade, 
size, quality, inspection, and reporting requirements for any variety 
of winter pear. Currently grade, size, quality, and inspection 
requirements are not being used. The marketing order also provides 
authority to fund projects involving production research, marketing 
research and development, and marketing promotion, including paid 
advertising. The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, 
authorize the Winter Pear Control Committee (WPCC), which is 
responsible for locally administering the program, to require handlers 
and growers to submit certain information. Much of the information is 
compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
marketing decisions.
    The WPCC has developed forms as a convenience to persons who are 
required to file information with the WPCC relating to winter pear 
production and supplies, shipments, inventories, and other information 
needed to effectively carry out the purposes of the AMAA and the order. 
A USDA form is used to allow growers to

[[Page 61242]]

vote on amendments or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, 
winter pear growers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to 
serve as representatives on the WPCC must file nomination forms with 
the Secretary.
    These forms 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 WPCC. Authorized WPCC 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 0.764 hours per response.
    Respondents: Winter pear producers and for-profit businesses 
handling fresh winter pears produced in Oregon and Washington.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,890.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.8873
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,567 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. 0581-0080 and California Peach 
Marketing Order No. 917; and OMB No. 0581-0089 and the Winter Pear 
Marketing Order No. 927, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Post Office Box 96456, Room 2525-S, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456; Fax: (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: 
[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 also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: November 4, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-29488 Filed 11-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P