[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 72638-72640] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-33641] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. FV00-901-1NC] Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 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) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved generic information collection for vegetables and specialty crops. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 28, 2000. [[Page 72639]] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S., P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; Tel: (202) 205-2829, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-mail: [email protected]. Small businesses may request information on this notice by contacting Jay Guerber, Regulatory Fairness Representative, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; telephone (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-mail: Jay.G[email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Vegetable and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders. OMB Number: 0581-0178. Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2000. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The following marketing orders are covered under this information collection: Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing Order 945; Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington, Marketing Order 946; Irish Potatoes Grown on Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, California, and in all Counties in Oregon, except Malheur County, Marketing Order 947; Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado, Marketing Order 948; Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States, Marketing Order 953; Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia, Marketing Order 955; Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, Marketing Order 956; Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing Order 958; Onions Grown in South Texas, Marketing Order 959; Tomatoes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order 966; Melons Grown in South Texas, Marketing Order 979; Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington, Marketing Order 982; Walnuts Grown in California, Marketing Order 984; Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, California, Marketing Order 987; Raisins Produced from Grapes Grown in California, Marketing Order 989; and, Dried Prunes Produced in California, Marketing Order 993. Also included in this request are forms applicable to imported raisins, dates, and dried prunes. Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops, in specified production areas, to work together to solve marketing problems that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure adequate supplies of high quality products for consumers and adequate returns to producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act), 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 or board of representatives from each commodity industry. The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the marketing order programs. Under the Act, orders may authorize the following: production and marketing research including paid advertising, volume regulations, reserves including pools and producer allotments, container regulations, and quality control. Production and marketing research activities are paid for by assessments levied on handlers regulated under the marketing orders. Also pursuant to section 8e of the Act, importers of raisins, dates, and dried prunes are required to submit certain information. Under the marketing orders, producers and handlers are nominated by their respective peers. These nominees then serve as representatives on their respective committees/boards and must file nomination forms with the Secretary. Formal rulemaking amendments to the orders must be approved in referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation of these marketing order programs. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the provisions of the respective orders whenever an order is amended. The orders and their rules and regulations authorize the respective commodities' Committees/Boards, the agencies responsible for local administration of the orders, to require handlers and producers to submit certain information. Much of the information is compiled in aggregate and provided to the respective industries to assist in marketing decisions. The Committees/Boards have developed forms as a means for persons to file required information. The forms covered under this information collection require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the orders, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA as expressed in the orders, and the rules and regulations issued under the orders. The information collected is used only by authorized employees of the committees/boards and authorized representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarter's staff. Authorized committee/board employees 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 0.07718 hours per response. Respondents: Producers, handlers, processors and importers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,463. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.72508. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,064 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 this docket number and the appropriate marketing order, and be mailed to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; Fax: (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: [email protected]. Comments should also reference 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, S.W., Washington, D.C., room 2525-South Building. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request [[Page 72640]] for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: December 21, 1999. James R. Frazier, Acting Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. [FR Doc. 99-33641 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P