[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55216-55217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23505]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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 
 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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 178 / Wednesday, September 13, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55216]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-901-3NC]


Notice of Intent to Request OMB Approval for New Information 
Collection, Marketing Order Committee/Board Interview

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed information collection submitted for public comment 
and notice.

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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 under fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders 
and agreements (orders and agreements). This information is to be used 
to conduct interviews of managers and committee and board members for 
order and agreement programs. Participants' information would be 
voluntarily supplied by those willing to respond. An interview would 
consist of about 15 questions regarding committee and board member 
participation and about concerns about serving on an order or agreement 
committee or board.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 13, 2000, 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Caroline Thorpe, Marketing 
Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Telephone: (202) 720-8139, 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: Marketing Order Committee/Board Interview.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval.
    Type of Request: Approval for Interview Questions.
    Abstract: Order and agreement 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 and agreement 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 order and agreement programs. The Secretary of Agriculture 
is authorized to oversee order operations and issue regulations 
recommended by a committee or board of representatives from each 
regulated commodity industry. Orders and agreements regulate the 
handling of certain commodities and are administered locally by 
industry committees and boards. Currently, there are 37 orders and 
agreements in effect.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Act, under 7 U.S.C. 608(c) 7. 
The purpose would be to provide training to current and prospective 
members of committees and boards, improve diversity on the committees 
and boards of the orders and agreements, and to more effectively 
administer the order and agreement programs.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging eligible women, 
minorities, and people with disabilities to participate on USDA's order 
and agreement committees and boards. In order to encourage a more 
comprehensive participation on order and agreement programs, AMS would 
like to better understand the factors that encourage or discourage 
committee or board participation.
    Under the orders and agreements, producers and handlers are 
nominated by their respective peers. These nominees then serve as 
representatives on their respective committees or boards and must file 
background questionnaires and acceptance letters or statements with the 
Secretary.
    This information collection is to be used to conduct interviews of 
managers and committee and board members for order and agreement 
programs. Participants' information would be voluntarily supplied by 
those willing to respond. An interview would consist of about 15 
questions regarding committee and board member participation and about 
concerns about serving on an order or agreement committee or board. The 
interview questions covered under this information collection will 
require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the 
intent.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' regional and headquarter's staff. Authorized representatives 
of the USDA are the primary users of the information and AMS authorized 
committee and board employees are the secondary users of the 
information.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: All selected members and managers of fruit, vegetable, 
and specialty crop order and agreement committees and boards.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50 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 
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

[[Page 55217]]

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 
order or agreement, and be mailed to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, 
DC 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 Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, room 2525-South Building.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: September 8, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-23505 Filed 9-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P