[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 99 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32072-32073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12802]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-928-1NC]


Notice of Request for Extension 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) intention to request an extension for a currently 
approved information collection for Papayas Grown in Hawaii, Marketing 
Order No. 928.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 21, 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: Papayas Grown in Hawaii, Marketing Order No. 928.
    OMB Number: 0581-0102.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.

[[Page 32073]]

    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 
(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 
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 
program, which has operated since 1971.
    The papaya marketing order regulates the handling of papayas grown 
in Hawaii, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The order 
authorizes production and marketing research and development projects, 
including paid advertising. The research and promotion activities are 
paid for by assessments on handlers of papaya.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Papaya Administrative Committee (committee), the agency responsible 
for local administration of the order, to require handlers and growers 
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 means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to papaya supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Papayas may be shipped 
year-round and these forms are utilized accordingly. A USDA form is 
used to allow growers to vote on amendments to or continuance of the 
marketing order. In addition, papaya growers and grower/handlers who 
are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the 
committee 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 Act 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 .76 hours per response.
    Respondents: Hawaiian papaya growers and handlers and two public 
members in the production area of Hawaii.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 18.42
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1050 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. 0581-0102 and the Papaya 
Marketing Order No. 928, 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., 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: May 16, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-12802 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P