[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 78 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21811-21812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9158]


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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. 78 / Thursday, April 22, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 21811]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[FV-04-337]


Request for New Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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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's) intention to request approval for the ``Qualified 
Through Verification'' Program (QTV) information collection.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before June 21, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to: Branch Chief, Processed Products Branch, 
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-1527.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. Terry B. Bane at the same 
address and fax number above, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: QTV is a voluntary HACCP-based program 
serving only the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable processing industry. The 
regulations in 7 CFR Part 52 provide for voluntary facility assessment 
programs that are paid for entirely by the user (user-fee) to verify 
their ability to produce wholesome food. QTV does not relieve 
participants from enforcement by the FDA or from under other applicable 
programs.
    USDA published in the Federal Register on September 4, 1998 (63 FR 
47220) a notice regarding the QTV program and asked for public comment. 
The comment period closed November 3, 1998. AMS received 28 comments 
from a wide range of sources, including trade associations, academia, 
members of Congress, state and local government agencies, and 
manufacturers.
    Comments received addressed both implementation of the program as 
well as technical details of the program's operation. The majority of 
the recommendations raised by the comments were incorporated into the 
program.
    Title: ``Qualified Through Verification'' Program (QTV).
    OMB Number: 0581-XXXX.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from the date of OMB approval.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621- et 
seq.) (AMA) directs and authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
to develop standards of quality, grades, grading programs, and 
voluntary services under the regulations, e.g., contract and 
specification acceptance services, facility assessment services and 
certifications of quantity and quality.
    To provide programs and services, section 203(h) of the AMA directs 
and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide contract and 
specification acceptance services, facility assessment and other 
services under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may 
prescribe, including assessment and collection of fees for the cost of 
the service.
    The QTV program is a voluntary program. Respondents need to request 
the service in writing, providing their processing information. In 
accordance with the AMA, the Agency will examine and verify the 
provided information and based on the information collected, assess and 
collect a fee from the respondent for the cost of the service. The 
information is collected to carry out the intent of the AMA, and is 
used only to provide the respondents the service they have requested, 
and to administer the program. This information is used only by 
authorized representatives of the USDA (AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' national staff; regional directors and their staffs; Area 
Officers-in Charge and their staffs; and resident Federal graders).
    The participant's use of appropriate automated, electronic or 
mechanical information collection methods is based on established 
industry standards and the sophistication of the processor's systems.
    Affected public may include any partnership, association, business 
trust, corporation, organized group, and State, County or Municipal 
government, and any authorized agent that has a financial interest in 
the commodity involved.
    Following the QTV program procedures, the respondent must provide 
processing information in writing to request service.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.68 hours per response.
    Respondents: Applicants who are applying to participate in the 
Qualified Through Verification (QTV) Program.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 469.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,372.
    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 Mr. Terry B. Bane, 
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; faxed to (202) 690-
1087; or e-mailed to [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 the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.


[[Page 21812]]


    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: April 19, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9158 Filed 4-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P