[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68088-68089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28425]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV02-502-N]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

[[Page 68089]]


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 Fruit and Vegetable Market News.

DATES: Comments received by January 7, 2003 will be considered.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Terry C. Long, Chief; Fruit 
and Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS-
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop-0238, Washington, DC 20250-
0238; Telephone: (202) 720-2175, Fax: (202) 720-0547. All comments will 
be available for public inspection at this address during the hours of 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market News.
    OMB Number: 0581-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for fruit, 
vegetable and ornamental production and to facilitate trading by 
providing a price base used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to 
market product.
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-et seq.), 
section 203(g) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination 
of marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    The fruit and vegetable industry provides information on a 
voluntary basis, and is gathered through confidential telephone and 
face-to-face interviews by market reporters. Reporters request 
supplies, demand, and prices of over 400 fresh fruit, vegetable, nut 
ornamental, and other specialty crops.
    The fruit and vegetable market news reports are used by academia, 
but are primarily used by the fruit, vegetable and ornamental trade, 
which includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, and producers. 
The fruit and vegetable industry requested that the Department of 
Agriculture issue price and supply market reports for commodities of 
regional, national and international significance in order to assist 
them in making immediate production and marketing decisions and as a 
guide to the amount of product in the supply channel.
    Many government agencies use the reports to make their market 
outlook projections. Data from these reports is included in the 
information forwarded to the Secretary's office and staff, as needed, 
to keep them appraised of the current market conditions and movement of 
fruit, vegetable, and ornamental commodities in the United States. 
Economists at most major agricultural colleges and universities use the 
reports to make both short and long term market projections. The data 
is used extensively by consulting firms and private economists to aid 
them in determining available supplies and current pricing.
    The information is collected, compiled, and disseminated by an 
impartial third party, in a manner which protects the confidentiality 
of the reporter. Further, since the Government is a purchaser of fruits 
and vegetables, a system to monitor the collection and reporting of 
data is needed.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .033 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industry, or other 
for-profit businesses, individuals or households, farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,347.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 120,964.
    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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Terry 
C. Long, Chief, Fruit and Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS-USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop-0238, 
Washington, DC 20250-0238.
    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: November 4, 2002.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28425 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P