[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14058]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 119 / Tuesday, June 22, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 34636]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV04-205]


Notice of Request for New 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 announced the agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request a new information collection: 
Fruit and Vegetable market News Survey link on Web site.

DATES: Comments received by August 23, 2004 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 Survey.
    OMB Number: 0581-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of OMB approval.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: 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. 
Market News provides all interested segments of the market chain with 
timely, accurate information from an unbiased third party. Market News 
has been given additional resources to expand its global marketing 
reporting, and seeks input from the fruit and vegetable industry in 
order to best meet their needs.
    The information collection requirements in this request are needed 
for the improvement and expansion of information and services of 
international markets of interest to the public. Information includes 
but is not limited to, a firm's level of interest in international 
marketing; specified regions of the world, countries and products of 
greatest interest in other services such as currency, metric and 
language conversions. Fruit and Vegetable Market News intends to post a 
brief survey on its Web site regarding international markets and 
marketing of fruits and vegetables abroad. Participation in this 
international markets survey is voluntary, and information gathered 
will be confidential.
    Response to the Fruit and Vegetable Market News survey will help 
establish a focus in the Branch's efforts to expand global market 
reporting. The survey will provide a forum for the fruit and vegetable 
industry to share their specific interests in international markets so 
that Market News can best meet their needs. A Web site link to the 
Fruit and Vegetable Market News survey provides an easy method of 
gathering information to assess our global market reporting needs. 
Participants will only be able to access the survey via the Market News 
Web site, however, they have the option to submit the survey 
electronically, facsimile or by mail.
    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.
    All users of the Market News Web site will be able to access the 
Fruit and Vegetable Market News survey through a direct link for 120 
days. Participants will not be required to identify themselves.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .05 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industry, or other 
for-profit businesses, individuals or households, farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25.
    Comments are invited on: (12) 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 he 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: June 16, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14058 Filed 6-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M