[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37076-37077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12698]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV05-993-4 NC]


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 Dried Prunes Produced in 
California-Prune Handler Compensation Survey, Marketing Order 993.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 29, 2005.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-
8938, or E-mail: [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Jay Guerber, 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: Dried Prunes Produced in California, Marketing Order 993.
    OMB Number: 0581-0208.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2006.
    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 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), marketing order programs are 
established if favored in referendum among producers. The Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is authorized to oversee the order's operations and 
issue regulations recommended by a committee or board of 
representatives from each regulated commodity industry. The Prune 
Marketing Committee (Committee) is responsible for locally 
administering the California Dried Prune Marketing Order, M.O. No. 993 
(order).
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
dried prune marketing order program (7 CFR part 993), which has been 
operating since 1949.
    The California dried prune marketing order authorizes the issuance 
of grade and size regulations, inspection requirements, and volume 
regulations, when in effect. Regulatory provisions apply to dried 
prunes shipped both within and outside the production area to any 
market, except those specifically exempt. The order also has authority 
for research and development projects. Import grade and conditions 
requirements are implemented on dried prunes imported into the United 
States, pursuant to section 608(e)(1) of the AMAA.
    Under the order, handlers are compensated for necessary services 
performed in connection with reserve prunes including, but not limited 
to, inspection, receiving, storing, grading and fumigation. To assist 
the Committee in formulating the compensation rates, current costs 
associated with those services will be obtained through a survey 
voluntarily submitted by dried prune handlers. The Committee will 
compute average costs, based on the number of handlers participating in 
the survey, and will announce the compensation rate for handling 
reserve prunes.
    This survey is needed so that the Committee can compute the average 
industry cost for holding reserve prunes. It will also allow the 
Committee to evaluate this information, update the compensation rate, 
and reimburse handlers for actual costs incurred in holding reserve 
prunes. This survey will be used when a reserve pool is recommended by 
the Committee.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' regional and headquarter's 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: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Dried Prune Handlers who handle reserve prunes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 22.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5.5 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information

[[Page 37077]]

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.
    Upon OMB approval, this information collection will be merged into 
the information collection currently approved under OMB No. 0581-0178, 
Vegetable and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0211 and the California 
Dried Prune Marketing Order No. 993, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, 
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW 
Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 
720-8938; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or E-mail: [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 also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: June 23, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12698 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P