[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 62 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16871-16872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7853]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 62 / Thursday, March 30, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 16871]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-929-1NC]


Notice of Request for 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) intention to request approval of a new information 
collection for Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, 
Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York, Marketing 
Order No. 929.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 30, 2000.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S., Post Office Box 96456, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456; Tel: (202) 720-8139, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or 
E-mail: usda.gov">moab.docketclerk@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Cranberries Grown in the States of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York, Marketing Order No. 929.
    OMB Number: 0581-0103.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: 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 1962.
    The cranberry marketing order regulates the handling of cranberries 
grown in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long 
Island in the State of New York, hereinafter referred to as the 
``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment provisions 
for producers and regulates the quantities of cranberries handled. The 
order also has research and development authority.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), 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 
marketing decisions.
    Forms are developed as a means for persons to file required 
information with the Committee relating to cranberry supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the AMAA and order. The order permits the 
Committee to determine whether to use allotment percentage authority, 
in which producers are limited to a specified percentage of their 
cranberries that handlers may handle(purchase and/or sell) on their 
behalf. Individual producer allotments are based on their sales 
history, defined as the best four of the preceding six years total 
commercial sales of cranberries from their acreage. Use of these forms 
will ensure better administration of the order and grower compliance 
with the order, should allotment provisions of the order be 
implemented.
    This notice announces the request for approval by OMB of two forms. 
The first form, ``Growers Notice of Intent to Produce and Qualifying 
for Annual Allotment Form'' (CMC--AL 1), is authorized under 
Sec. 929.49 of the order. This form would be completed by growers in 
the event volume regulation is implemented. The Committee would require 
all growers to qualify for that allotment by filing with the Committee, 
on or before April 15 of each year. This form requires growers to 
provide certain information including: (1) The location of their 
cranberry producing acreage from which their annual allotment will be 
produced; (2) the amount of existing or new acreage which will be 
harvested; and (3) other information including: total acreage to be 
harvested during the crop year; crop harvested during previous year; 
and name(s) of handler(s) through which a grower has sold his or her 
crop. Authority for this collection is specified under Sec. 929.49. 
This form helps ensure compliance of allotment regulations by growers.
    The second form, the ``Allotment Transfer and Disposition 
Agreement'' form (CMC--T7), is authorized under Sec. 929.151(c). 
Growers who complete this form may enter into an agreement with a 
handler or handlers as to the disposition of the grower's annual 
allotment. The terms of the agreement are required to be contained in 
this form and must include: the quantity of the allotment available to 
the handler for transfer; the effective date of the agreement; and the 
signature of the grower and the handler or their authorized 
representatives.
    These forms are needed to ensure efficient administration of the 
order and permit all industry members the opportunity to plan transfers 
and dispositions of their cranberries.
    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

[[Page 16872]]

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 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 .33 hours per response.
    Respondents: Cranberry growers and handlers in the States of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,285.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 848 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the 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. 0581-0103 and the Cranberry 
Marketing Order No. 929, 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: 
moab.docketclerk&usda.gov. 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., S.W., Washington, D.C., 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 24, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-7853 Filed 3-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P