[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30365-30366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8104]


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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. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 30365]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV06-983-1NC]


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 pistachios grown in 
California, Marketing Order No. 983.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 25, 2006.
    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; (202) 205-2829, 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: Pistachios Grown in California, 
Marketing Order No. 983.
    OMB Number: 0581-0215.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 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) 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 AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
program, which has operated since 2004.
    The pistachio marketing order regulates the handling of pistachios 
grown in California, hereinafter referred to as the order, (7 CFR part 
983). The order authorizes grade and size requirements, as well as a 
requirement for aflatoxin testing on domestic shipments only.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and producers to submit certain information. Much of this information 
is compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
carrying out marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to pistachio shipments 
and other information needed to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
AMAA. A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote on amendments or 
continuance of the marketing order. In addition, pistachio producers 
and handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as 
representatives on the Committee must file nomination forms with the 
Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
AMAA 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 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 .2309 hours per response.
    Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers and testing 
laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 771.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .808
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 144 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.

[[Page 30366]]

    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0215 and the Marketing Order 
for Pistachios Grown in California, M.O. No. 983, 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; 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, room 2525-S.
    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: May 22, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8104 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P