[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 35 (Thursday, February 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7951-7952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2944]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-FV-07-0023; FV02-502]


Notice of Request for 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 for revision of a currently 
approved information collection for Fruit and Vegetable Market News.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 23, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov or to the Market News 
Branch, Fruit & Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 2503 South, Stop 0238, Washington, DC 20250-0238. 
Comments should make reference to the dates and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public 
inspection in the above office during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Terry C. Long, Chief; Fruit and 
Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, (202) 720-
2175, Fax: (202) 720-0547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market News.
    OMB Number: 0581-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for fruit, 
vegetable and ornamental production and to facilitate trading by 
providing a price base used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to 
market product.
    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.
    The fruit and vegetable industry provides information on a 
voluntary basis, and is gathered through confidential telephone and 
face-to-face interviews by market reporters. Reporters request 
supplies, demand, and prices of over 330 fresh fruit, vegetable, nut 
ornamental, and other specialty crops. The information is collected, 
compiled, and disseminated by Market News in its critical role as an 
impartial third party. It is collected and reported in a manner which 
protects the confidentiality of the respondent and their operations.
    The fruit and vegetable market news reports are used by academia 
and various government agencies for regulatory and other purposes, but 
are primarily used by the fruit, vegetable and ornamental trade, which 
includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, producers, and 
associated industries. Members of the fruit and vegetable industry 
regularly make it clear that they need and expect the Department of 
Agriculture will issue price and supply market reports for commodities 
of regional, national and international significance in order to assist 
in making immediate production and marketing

[[Page 7952]]

decisions and as a guide to the amount of product in the supply 
channel. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service buys hundreds 
of millions of dollars of fruit and vegetable products each year for 
domestic feeding programs, and Market News data is a critical component 
of the decision making process.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .03 hours per response.
    Respondents: Fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industry, or other 
for-profit businesses, individuals or households, farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,274.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 218.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 119,512 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    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: February 15, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-2944 Filed 2-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P