[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46408-46409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21655]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-FV-09-0025; FV09-900-1NC]


Request for 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 for an information 
collection for the AMS Survey of Marketing Order Online System (MOLS) 
Users, the automated FV-6 form used by importers and receivers for 
exempt imported fruits, vegetables and specialty crops.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments can be sent to Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; (202) 205-2829, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or 
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the 
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: 
http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Nelson, Compliance Team, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, AMS, USDA, (202) 720-6467, or E-
mail: [email protected].; or Greg Breasher, Compliance Team, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, AMS, USDA, (559) 487-5003, or E-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Marketing Order Online System (MOLS) Survey, Form FV-660.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937 (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act'', 
requires that when the Secretary of Agriculture issues grade, size, 
quality, or maturity regulations under domestic marketing orders for 
certain commodities, the same or comparable regulations apply to 
imports of those commodities. Import regulations apply only during 
those periods when domestic marketing order regulations are in effect.
    Currently, the following commodities are subject to Section 8e 
import regulations: avocados, dates (other than dates for processing), 
hazelnuts, grapefruit, table grapes, kiwifruit, olives (other than 
Spanish-style olives), onions, oranges, Irish potatoes, dried prunes 
(suspended), fresh prunes, raisins, tomatoes, and walnuts. However, 
imports of these commodities are exempt from such requirements if they 
are imported for such outlets as processing, charity, animal feed, seed 
and distribution to relief agencies under the applicable marketing 
orders.
    Safeguard procedures in the form of importer and receiver reporting 
requirements ensure that the imported commodities are shipped to 
authorized exempt outlets. Reports required under the safeguard 
procedures are similar to the reports currently required by most 
domestic marketing orders. The following import regulations require 
importers and receivers of imported fruit, vegetable and specialty 
crops to submit reports: (1) Fruits; import regulations (7 CFR part 
944.350); (2) Vegetables; import regulations (7 CFR part 980.501); and 
(3) Specialty crops; import regulations (7 CFR part 999.500).
    When required to do so under the above regulations, an importer 
wishing to import commodities for exempt purposes completes Form FV-6, 
``Importer's Exempt Commodity Form,'' prior to importation. In August 
2008, the web-based application, ``Marketing Order Online System 
(MOLS)'' was launched allowing fruit, vegetable and specialty crop 
importers and receivers to submit, review and search for FV-6 
certificates online. The MOLS was developed to not only help USDA 
manage incoming FV-6 forms, but to also help importers reduce 
paperwork, streamline operations and allows the most efficient 
clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The FV-6 form and 
the MOLS are currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under OMB No. 0581-0167, ``Specified Commodities Imported into 
the United States Exempt from Import Requirements.''
    The MOLS requires the minimum amount of information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the Act. It fulfills the 
intent of the Act and administers Section 8e compliance activities.
    AMS offered MOLS to a test group of importers and receivers in 
November 2008. In January 2009, AMS opened the system to all importers 
and receivers. Although the MOLS is the recommended form of FV-6 
submission, paper copies are occasionally used by those respondents who 
do not have internet access.
    AMS has developed a customer satisfaction survey, Form FV-660, to 
gather specific information from approximately 200 respondents 
currently registered and utilizing the MOLS. Information will be 
collected on a voluntary basis, and the respondents' identities will 
not be revealed in the survey results. The survey will allow AMS to 
better serve the fruit, vegetable and specialty crop importing and 
handling community. AMS is seeking OMB approval of the survey, under 
OMB No. 0581-NEW. Upon approval, we request that the burden be merged 
into OMB No. 0581-0167.
    The information collected through this package will be used and 
analyzed by authorized representatives of USDA, including AMS' Fruit 
and Vegetable Programs' headquarters staff. The survey, FV-660, would 
be distributed

[[Page 46409]]

by e-mail to the respondents. Respondents would return the survey by e-
mail to the address on the survey form.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers and receivers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50 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 received will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: September 2, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E9-21655 Filed 9-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P