[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60165-60166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25947]


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 Notices
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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 10, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 60165]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-33-1NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for the Export Apple Act and 
the Export Grape and Plum Act.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 11, 2000, 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, 
D.C., 20090-6456, telephone (202) 205-2829 or 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, DC 20090-6456; telephone (202) 
720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export Apple Act (7 CFR Part 33) 
and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR Part 35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States 
shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum quality and other 
requirements established by regulations issued under the Export Apple 
Act (7 U.S.C. 581-590) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 U.S.C. 591-
599). Currently, plums are not regulated under the Export Grape and 
Plum Act. The regulations issued under the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 
CFR Part 35) cover fresh grapes grown in the United States and shipped 
to foreign destinations, except Canada and Mexico. The regulations 
issued under the Export Apple Act (7 CFR Part 33) covers fresh apples 
grown in the United States shipped to foreign destinations. In 
accordance with amendments to that Act, pears have been removed from 
coverage and the current regulations will be amended accordingly. The 
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the implementation of 
the export fruit acts and issue regulations regarding these 
commodities. The information collection requirements in this request 
are essential to carry out the intent and administration of the export 
fruit acts. The Export Apple Act and the Export Grape and Plum Act have 
been in effect since 1933 and 1960 respectively.
    Both Acts were designed to promote the foreign trade of the United 
States in apples, grapes and plums; to protect the reputation of these 
American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or 
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign 
commerce.
    The regulations issued under the Acts (Sec. 33.11 for apples, and 
Sec. 35.12 for grapes) require that the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) officially inspect and certify that each shipment of fresh 
apples and grapes is in compliance with all pertinent regulatory 
requirements effective under the Acts. Persons who ship fresh apples 
and grapes grown in the United States to foreign destinations must have 
such shipment inspected and certified by Federal or Federal-State 
Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors. The FSIS is administered by the 
Agricultural Marketing Service.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the export fruit 
acts, and their use is necessary.
    The information collection requirements in this request is 
primarily in the form of recordkeeping. Information needed by USDA is 
available on official FSIS inspection certificates, and on 
phytosanitary inspection certificates issued by USDA's Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service.
    Export carriers are required to keep on file for three years copies 
of inspection certificates for apples and grapes transported by them. 
Export shippers are required to label certain containers of apples and 
grapes used for export shipments.
    The number of exporters has remained fairly constant in recent 
years. There are an estimated 115 exporters who use the required forms 
and the corresponding forms have remained constant.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
periodically reviewed to ensure that they place as small a burden on 
the exporter as possible. Procedures have been streamlined to assure 
efficiency in administering the Acts.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.9528 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit export shippers and export carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 115.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.96.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,204.
    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 the use of appropriate automated,

[[Page 60166]]

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to 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 during regular business hours at the same 
address, or can be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html. 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: October 3, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-25947 Filed 10-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U