[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60166-60167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25948]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-998-1NC]


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 Marketing Agreement No. 
146 Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced Peanuts 7 CFR part 
998) (Agreement).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 11, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  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]. All comments should reference the 
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register.
    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: Marketing Agreement No. 146, Regulating the Quality of 
Domestically Produced Peanuts--7 CFR part 998.
    OMB Number: 0581-0067.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing agreement and 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. Such regulations 
help ensure adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate 
returns to producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1997 (AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), the Agreement was 
established for handlers who voluntarily signed it. Signers agreed to 
have peanuts inspected, meet both incoming and outgoing quality 
regulations, be chemically tested and certified ``negative'' as to 
aflatoxin. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the 
Agreement's operations and consider issuing regulations recommended by 
a committee of producer and handler representatives from each of the 
three peanut producing areas within the 16-state production area.
    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 
Peanut Marketing Agreement program, which has been operating since 
1965.
    The Agreement authorizes the issuance of quality regulations along 
with inspection requirements. The Agreement also provides authority for 
limited indemnification. The Agreement, and rules and regulations 
issued thereunder, authorize the Peanut Administrative Committee 
(Committee), which is responsible for locally administering the 
program, to require handlers and growers to submit certain information. 
Much of the 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 peanut supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the AMAA and Agreement. USDA forms are used by 
peanut growers and handlers, who are nominated by their peers to serve 
as representatives on the Committee, to submit their qualifications to 
the Secretary. Other USDA forms are used by handlers to sign the 
Agreement.
    These forms require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the Agreement, and their use 
is necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA as expressed in the 
Agreement.
    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, which 
may be provided only aggregate (not confidential) information, 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 .45 hours per response.
    Respondents: Peanut producers and persons handling fresh and 
processed peanuts produced in the 16-state production area.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.44.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 118 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.

[[Page 60167]]

    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0067 and the Peanut 
Marketing Agreement No. 146, and be mailed 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 in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 14th and 
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC, room 2525-S, 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 also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: October 3, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-25948 Filed 10-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U