[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 231 (Friday, December 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69529-69530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20395]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 231 / Friday, December 1, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 69529]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV06-33-1NC]


Notice of Request for an Extension 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 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 January 30, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.
    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; telephone (202) 205-2829 or 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: Export Fruit Regulations--Export 
Apple Act (7 CFR Part 33) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR Part 
35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States 
shipped to any 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 Export Apple Act cover exports of fresh 
apples grown in the United States and shipped to foreign destinations. 
The regulations issued under the Export Grape and Plum Act cover 
exports of fresh 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 U.S.-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 
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 request 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 Federal or FSIS inspectors 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 (3) 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 per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 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, DC 
20250-0237; 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 during regular business hours 
at the same address, or 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

[[Page 69530]]

for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 28, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20395 Filed 11-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P