[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 56 (Friday, March 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15120-15122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5749]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-08-0007; FV08-378]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection survey of 
customers, related to the delivery of services by AMS under the 
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, as amended (PACA). This 
voluntary survey would give customers of the PACA program an 
opportunity to provide feedback to AMS on the quality of the service 
they receive via the PACA Customer Service Line. It would also give 
them an opportunity to indicate what new PACA services, if any, that 
they would like to receive.

DATES: Comments received by May 20, 2008 will be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written or electronic comments to:
    (1) PACA Customer Service Line Comments, AMS, F&V Programs, PACA 
Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2095-S, Stop 0242, 
Washington, DC 20250-0242.
    (2) Fax: 202-690-4413.
    (3) E-mail comments to [email protected].
    (4) Internet: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Instructions: All comments will become a matter of public record 
and should be identified as PACA Customer Service Line Comments. 
Comments will be available for public inspection from AMS at the above 
address or over the AMS Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/fv. Web site 
questions can be addressed to the PACA Webmaster, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(PACA or Act) establishes a code of fair trade practices covering the 
marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and

[[Page 15121]]

vegetables in interstate and foreign commerce. The PACA protects 
growers, shippers, distributors, and retailers dealing in those 
commodities by prohibiting unfair and fraudulent trade practices. In 
this way, the law fosters an efficient nationwide distribution system 
for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, benefiting the whole 
marketing chain from farmer to consumer. AMS administers and enforces 
the PACA.
    The law provides a forum for resolving contract disputes, and a 
mechanism for the collection of damages from any licensee (or one 
subject to license) who fails to meet contractual obligations. In 
addition, the PACA provides for prompt payment to fruit and vegetable 
sellers and for revocation of licenses and sanctions against firms or 
principals found to have violated the law's standards of fair business 
practices. The PACA also imposes a statutory trust that attaches to 
perishable agricultural commodities received by regulated entities, 
products derived from the commodities, and any receivables or proceeds 
from the sale of the commodities. The trust exists for the benefit of 
produce suppliers, sellers, or agents that have not been paid, and 
continues until they have been paid in full.
    The PACA is enforced and financed through a licensing system. All 
commission merchants, dealers, and brokers engaged in business subject 
to the PACA must be licensed; however, growers that sell produce of 
their own raising only are not required to obtain a license. Those who 
engage in practices prohibited by the PACA may have their licenses 
suspended or revoked.
    There are approximately 14,500 firms licensed under the PACA to 
operate in the produce industry. These customers are located nationwide 
and include fruit and vegetable growers, dealers, brokers and 
commission merchants who buy, sell, and negotiate to buy or sell fresh 
and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate and/or foreign commerce. 
These customers may request services from the PACA Branch's 
headquarters and/or field offices.
    To better facilitate the delivery of services to the fruit and 
vegetable industry, AMS in early Fiscal Year 2007 launched the PACA 
Branch's Customer Service Line, a fast and easy way for fruit and 
vegetable industry members to get answers to their questions on a wide 
range of PACA related issues. The customer service line provides 
callers with immediate access to experts who can offer advice on a 
variety of PACA topics including contract disputes, interpretation of 
inspection reports, guidance regarding a good delivery issue, and 
license information.
    The goal of AMS and the PACA Branch is to provide timely, high 
quality, accurate, consistent, and professional service that 
facilitates fair trading practices in the marketing of fresh and frozen 
fruits and vegetables in interstate and foreign commerce. To accomplish 
this goal and in accordance with Executive Order 12862, AMS is seeking 
feedback from customers to evaluate the services provided by the PACA 
Customer Service Line.
    Title: PACA Customer Service Line User Survey.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The collection of information using a voluntary customer 
service survey will provide AMS' PACA customers with an opportunity to 
evaluate, on a scale of one to five, the timeliness, cost-
effectiveness, accuracy, consistency, and usefulness of services and 
results, and the professionalism of PACA Branch employees. Customers 
will also have an opportunity to indicate what new or existing services 
they would use if such services were offered or available.
    AMS needs to have a more formal means of determining customers' 
expectations of the quality of service delivered by the PACA program. 
To collect this information, AMS proposes to randomly conduct, over a 
3-year period, a voluntary customer survey. The survey instrument will 
consist of up to nine questions. The survey instrument may be changed 
during the 3-year period in response to information gathered from 
survey participants. The information collected from the survey will 
allow AMS to determine customers' satisfaction with existing PACA 
services, compare results from year to year, and determine what new 
services customers' desire.
    Examples of the type of feedback that will be asked for on the 
survey include the following: ``I found the PACA Customer Service Line 
recording easy to use and follow;'' ``PACA personnel are courteous and 
professional;'' and ``PACA personnel were helpful.'' Most survey 
questions will be assessed using a one to five rating scale with 
responses ranging from ``very dissatisfied'' to ``very satisfied'' or 
``no opinion.'' Some survey questions may be in the form of ``yes'' or 
``no'' questions. Customers may also be asked to provide a response to 
the following question: ``Do you have any further comments or 
suggestions concerning the PACA Customer Service Line or other aspects 
of PACA customer service?''
    By obtaining information from customers through a voluntary 
customer service survey, AMS will continue to improve services and 
service delivery provided by the PACA program to meet or exceed 
customer expectations.
    We estimate the paperwork and time burden of the above referenced 
information collection to be as follows:
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 5 minutes (i.e., 0.083 hours) per 
response.
    Respondents: The primary respondents will be both licensed and 
unlicensed PACA customers that call the toll-free PACA Customer Service 
Line-fruit and vegetable growers, commission merchants, dealers, and 
brokers.
    FY 2009--Estimated Number of Respondents: 240 (i.e., 10% of 200 x 
12 = 240--the average number of monthly customers using the Customer 
Service Line).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    FY 2010--Estimated Number of Respondents: 240 (i.e., 10% of 200 x 
12 = 240--the average number of monthly customers using the Customer 
Service Line).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    FY 2011--Estimated Number of Respondents: 240 (i.e., 10% of 200 x 
12 = 240--the average number of monthly customers using the Customer 
Service Line).
    Frequency of Responses: 1.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 19.92 hours (240 times 0.083 hours/
response = 19.92 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.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.


[[Page 15122]]


    Dated: March 17, 2008.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-5749 Filed 3-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P