[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38668-38669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16456]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV03-985-4NC]


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 a currently 
approved information collection for the Marketing Order Regulating the 
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 29, 2003.

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]. All comments should reference the 
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.
    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, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC, 20250-0237; 
telephone (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    Title: Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil 
Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.
    OMB Number: 0581-0065.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing 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. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality product 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 marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Act and to administer the 
program, which has operated since 1980.
    The Far West spearmint marketing order regulates the handling of 
spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and 
designated parts of Nevada and Utah), hereinafter referred to as the 
``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment provisions 
for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil handled. 
The order also has research and development authority.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and producers to submit certain information regarding spearmint 
production. Much of this information is compiled in aggregate and 
provided to the industry to assist in marketing decisions. Forms are 
utilized throughout the year. The marketing year for the order is June 
1 through May 31, with production occurring in the months of June 
through September.
    The Committee has developed forms which must be filed by handlers 
to provide information to the Committee relating to spearmint 
production volume, shipments, dispositions, and other information as 
may be needed to effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and 
order. Producers also provide certain production information to the 
Committee. Another form must be submitted to the Secretary by each 
nominee who wishes to serve on the Committee. The nominee would provide 
information showing why he or she is qualified to serve on the 
Committee. Two ballot forms may be used in referenda conducted by the 
Secretary. One would ascertain whether producers support continuation 
of the order. Another ballot may be used to determine whether producers 
support amendments to the order. If the order is amended, handlers 
would be asked to

[[Page 38669]]

sign an agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the new or 
amended provisions of the order.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order. Their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act 
as expressed in the order, and the rules and regulations issued under 
the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information, and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .12 hours (7 minutes) per 
response.
    Respondents: Far West Spearmint producers and handlers and two 
public members in the production area.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 195.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 142 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.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0065 and the Spearmint 
Marketing Order No. 985, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 
20250-0237; Fax (202) 720-8938; 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 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250. All comments should reference the docket 
number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, 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: June 25, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-16456 Filed 6-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P