[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76607-76608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29829]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-08-0099]


Notice of Request for a New 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 approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for information collection for Regulations 
Governing Inspection, Certification and Standards for Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables, and Other Products specifically related to audit based 
programs. Once approved, AMS will request that OMB merge this 
information collection into the currently approved OMB 0581-
0125, Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards 
for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and other Products.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before February 
17, 2009, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov or to Kenneth S. Petersen, 
Audit Program Coordinator, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1661 South Building, 
Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240, Fax (202) 720-8871. Comments 
should make reference to the dates and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. All comments received will be posted without change, 
including any personal information provided, and will be available for 
public inspection via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or at 
the address cited above during regular business hours.
    Additional Information: Kenneth S. Petersen, Audit Program 
Coordinator, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop

[[Page 76608]]

0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; Phone (202) 720-4560; Fax (202) 720-
8871; E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification and 
Standards for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products 7 CFR part 
51.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three Years from Date of OMB Approval.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 7 
U.S.C. 1621 et seq. authorizes the Secretary to inspect and certify the 
quality of agricultural products and collect such fees as reasonable to 
cover the cost of services rendered. The Fresh Products Branch provides 
nationwide audit services for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other 
products to growers, shippers, importers, processors, sellers, buyers, 
and other financially interested parties on a ``user fee'' basis. The 
use of these services is voluntary and is made available only upon 
request. Information is needed to provide audit services. This 
information includes: The name and location of the person or company 
requesting the audit, the type and location of the product to be 
audited, the type of audit being requested, and any information that 
will identify the product.
    In addition, any interested party who wishes to use an official 
logo in conjunction with the specific audit program must submit a 
request form for the logo's use. Information collected for the use of 
this logo include: The name of the company, name of the requestor, type 
of product, specifications for where and how the logo will be used, and 
the manufacturer's name and location who is reproducing this logo. 
Approved use of a logo requires that the interested party successfully 
adhere to the specific audit program requirements. As part of the audit 
process, auditee documentation must be made available to the Fresh 
Products Branch personnel for review to show conformance to the 
specific audit program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8.5 hours per response including 
documentation needed to conform to audit requirements.
    Respondents: Growers, shippers, importers, processors, sellers, 
buyers, and others with a financial interest in lots of fresh fruits, 
vegetables and other products.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,000 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.

    Dated: December 11, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29829 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P