[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 60 (Monday, March 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16224-16225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7037]


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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. 69, No. 60 / Monday, March 29, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 16224]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. FV03-33-1NC]


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 Fruit Acts 
covering exports of apples and grapes.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2004 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this rule. Comments should reference the docket number and 
the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. 
Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMSA, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; fax 
(202) 720-8938; or e-mail to: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Caroline Thorpe, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237, 
telephone (202) 720-8139 or fax (202) 720-8938, or e-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export 
Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) and Export Grape and Plums (7 CFR part 35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States and 
shipped to a designated 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) (Acts). Currently, plums are not regulated under the 
Act. The regulations issued under the Acts cover exports of fresh 
apples and grapes grown in the United States and shipped to foreign 
destinations, except Canada and Mexico. Certain limited quantity 
provisions may exempt some shipments and exporters from this 
Information Collection. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to 
oversee the implementation of the Acts and issue regulations regarding 
that activity.
    The Information Collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the Acts. Both 
Acts were designed to promote foreign trade in the export of apples, 
grapes and plums grown in the United States; to protect the reputation 
of the American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or 
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign 
commerce. The Acts have been in effect since 1933 (apples) and 1960 
(grapes).
    The regulations issued under the Acts (7 CFR 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 export shipment of 
fresh apples and grapes is in compliance with quality and shipping 
requirements effective under the Acts. Shipments are inspected and 
certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service (FSIS) 
inspectors. FSIS is administered by USDA.
    The Information Collection requirements in this action impose the 
minimum burden necessary to effectively administer the Acts.
    The Information Collection burden for this action is primarily in 
the form of recordkeeping. Export Form Certificates (certificates) 
issued by FSIS are used to facilitate the export process. The 
certificates are not completed by the exporters or carriers and are not 
filed with USDA. The certificates are retained by each exporter, and 
third party carrier which ships the commodity, to verify their 
compliance with the Acts. There are an estimated 80 exporters of apples 
and grapes and an estimated 20 carriers which transport those 
shipments. Pursuant to the Acts, exporters and carriers must retain 
inspection certificates for three years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Recordkeepers: Apple and grape exporters and carriers.
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Recordkeepers: 25 hours.
    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, 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, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, D.C. 
20250-0237. Comments should reference the docket number, the date, and 
the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments 
received will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours in Room 2525 at the same address. All comments received 
on this action 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.


[[Page 16225]]


    Dated: March 25, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7037 Filed 3-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P