[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 58 (Friday, March 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15888-15889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7332]


 ========================================================================
 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. 65, No. 58 / Friday, March 24, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15888]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-930-1NC]


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 information collection for tart cherries grown in 
the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, 
Washington and Wisconsin, Marketing Order No. 930.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 23, 2000.

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: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, Marketing Order 
No. 930.
    OMB Number: 0581-0177.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2001.
    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 
program, which has operated since 1996.
    The tart cherry marketing order regulates the handling of tart 
cherries in the states of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, 
Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, hereinafter referred to as the 
``order.'' The order authorizes volume controls that provide for a 
reserve pool in times of heavy cherry supplies. Other major marketing 
order provisions, not currently in use, include minimum grade and size 
regulations and authorization for market research and development 
projects, including paid advertising.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board), 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 
carrying out marketing decisions.
    The Board has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Board relating to tart cherry 
inventories, shipments, diversions, and other information needed to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the order, and their use is 
necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA. Since this order regulates 
the canned and frozen form of tart cherries, reporting requirements 
will be in effect all year. A USDA form is used to allow growers to 
vote on amendments or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, 
tart cherry producers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to 
serve as representatives on the Board 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, and the rules and regulations issued 
under 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 Board. Authorized Board 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 .191 hours per response.
    Respondents: Tart cherry producers and for-profit businesses 
handling fresh and processed tart cherries produced in Michigan, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 943.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.93
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 887.63 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the

[[Page 15889]]

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. 0581-0177 and the Tart Cherry 
Marketing Order No. 930, and be mailed to 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 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 Ave., 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 also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: March 20, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-7332 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P