[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 218 (Friday, November 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58597-58598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27230]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 218 / Friday, November 13, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58597]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-FV-09-0059; FV09-981-3NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and 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 an extension for and revision of a 
currently approved information collection for Almonds Grown in 
California, M.O. No. 981.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 
20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the docket number and 
the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will 
be 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: Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; 
Telephone: (202) 205-2829, 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, room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 720-2491, 
Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Almonds Grown in California, Marketing Order No. 981.
    OMB Number: 0581-0242.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request 
are essential to carry out the intent of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), to provide 
the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
California almond marketing order program (order) (7 CFR part 981) 
which has been operating since 1950.
    The order and its rules and regulations authorize the Almond Board 
of California (board), the agency responsible for local administration 
of the order, to require handlers and other certain entities to submit 
information.
    In September 2007, a mandatory program was implemented under the 
order to help reduce the potential for Salmonella in almonds. The board 
has developed forms as a means for persons to file required information 
with the board relating to the treatment of almonds to reduce the 
potential for Salmonella. Almond handlers are required to submit annual 
treatment plans to the board and inspection agency regarding how they 
plan to treat their almonds to reduce the potential for Salmonella. 
Entities interested in being almond process authorities that validate 
technologies are required to submit an application to the board on ABC 
Form No. 51, ``Application for Process Authority for Almonds.'' 
Manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico interested in 
being approved to accept untreated almonds, provided they agree to 
treat the almonds themselves under the board's Direct Verifiable (DV) 
program are required to submit an application to the board on ABC Form 
No. 52, ``Application for Direct Verifiable (DV) Program for Further 
Processing of Untreated Almonds.'' Entities interested in being 
approved DV user auditors are required to submit an application to the 
board on ABC Form No. 53, ``Application for Direct Verifiable (DV) 
Program Auditors.''
    The information collected would be used only by authorized 
representatives of USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs' 
regional and headquarters' staff, and authorized employees and agents 
of the board. Authorized board employees, agents, and the industry are 
the primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 13.77 hours per response.
    Respondents: Almond handlers; persons or organizations that would 
like to qualify to be board-approved process authorities that validate 
treatments and technologies; manufacturers who would like to qualify to 
participate in the board's DV program; and entities that would like to 
qualify as auditors under the DV program.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 175.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.74.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,200 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.
    Comments should reference this docket number and the appropriate 
marketing order and be sent to the USDA in care of the Docket Clerk at 
the

[[Page 58598]]

address above. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    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: October 27, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E9-27230 Filed 11-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P