[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 48865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18981]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 48865]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV02-997-1 NC]


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 to a currently 
approved information collection in support of the Provisions Regulating 
the Quality of Domestically Produced Peanuts Handled by Persons Not 
Subject to the Marketing Agreement No. 146. The information collection 
for this program expires September 30, 2002.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 24, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caroline C. Thorpe, Marketing 
Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-8139, Fax (202) 720-8938, or 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Title: Provisions Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced 
Peanuts Handled by Persons Not Subject to the Peanut Marketing 
Agreement.
    OMB Number: 0581-0163.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Public Law 101-220, enacted December 12, 1989, amended 
section 608b of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement of 1937 (Act), as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674) to require that all handlers who have not 
signed the Peanut Marketing Agreement No. 146 (7 CFR part 998) be 
subject to quality, handling, and inspection requirements to the same 
extent and manner as are required under the Agreement. Regulations (7 
CFR part 997) to implement Public Law 101-220 were issued and made 
effective on December 4, 1990 (55 FR 49983).
    The non-signatory handling regulations ensure that peanuts intended 
for human consumption must meet edible quality requirements. Under the 
regulations, farmers stock peanuts with visible Aspergillus flavus mold 
(the principle source of aflatoxin) are required to be diverted to non-
edible uses. The regulations also provide that shelled peanuts meeting 
minimum outgoing quality requirements must be chemically analyzed for 
aflatoxin contamination. It is estimated that 5 percent of the domestic 
peanut crop is marketed by non-signatory handlers.
    Peanut handlers are business entities that buy raw peanuts from 
farmers and process them into shelled product (kernels) that is sold to 
manufacturers who make peanut butter and other peanut products. Under 
this information collection burden, peanut handlers are respondents and 
recordkeepers. The forms that are needed to administer the non-signer 
regulations are as follows:
    (1) Handlers Monthly Report of Farmers Stock--Form FV-117, requests 
information on each handler's shelled peanuts and how those shelled 
peanuts are prepared for sale to manufacturers. This report is filed 
monthly.
    (2) Monthly Report of Dispositions of Peanuts--Form FV-117-1, 
requests information on each handler's acquisitions and dispositions of 
farmers stock peanuts. Farmers stock peanuts are raw, inshell peanuts 
delivered by farmers to peanut handlers. This report is also filed 
monthly.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.33 hours (20 minutes) per 
response.
    Respondents: Peanut handlers who have not signed the peanut 
marketing Agreement.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 33.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 24.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 264 hrs.
    Because the information collection for this program expires on 
September 30, 2002, AMS is requesting an extension of OMB approval for 
the applicable forms.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the 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 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, and mechanical or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0163 and the Peanut Import 
Regulation, Part 999.600, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Stop 0237, 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938; 
Fax: (202) 720-8938; or E-mail: [email protected]. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in a 
final request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: July 22, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-18981 Filed 7-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P