[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61692-61693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25065]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS FV-10-0076; FV10-983-2NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection for Pistachios

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 to 
the forms currently used to collect information under Federal Marketing 
Order No. 983, for pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New 
Mexico. This notice also announces AMS' intention to merge two form 
packages into one.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 6, 2010.
    Additional Information: Contact Lillie Zeng, Marketing Specialist, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 
20250-0237; (202) 690-3870, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Small businesses may request information on 
this notice by contacting Antoinette Carter, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
telephone (202) 690-3919, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Comments: Comments should reference the document number and the 
date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register, and be 
mailed to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable

[[Page 61693]]

Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1406-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or submitted through 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference 
OMB No. 0581-0215 and the Marketing Order for Pistachios Grown in 
California, Arizona and New Mexico, M.O. No. 983, and the date and page 
number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments received 
will be available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket 
Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC, Room 1406-S.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona and New Mexico, 
Marketing Order No. 983.
    OMB Number: 0581-0215.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2011.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), fresh fruits, vegetables and 
specialty crop industries can enter into marketing order programs which 
provide an opportunity for producers, in a specified production area, 
to work together to solve marketing problems and ensure adequate 
supplies of high quality product and returns to producers. The 
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the order operations 
and issue regulations recommended by a committee of representatives 
from each commodity industry.
    The pistachio marketing order regulates the handling of pistachios 
grown in California, Arizona and New Mexico, hereinafter referred to as 
the order, (7 CFR part 983). The order authorizes grade and size 
requirements, as well as a requirement for aflatoxin testing on 
domestic shipments only.
    The order authorizes the Administrative Committee for Pistachios 
(Committee) to locally administer the order, and require handlers and 
producers to submit certain information in order to effectively 
implement the requirements of the order, and fulfill the intent of the 
AMAA, as expressed in order, as well as assist the industry in carrying 
out marketing decisions. Only authorized employees of the Committee, 
and authorized representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarter's staff have access to 
information provided on the forms.
    Requesting public comments on the forms described below is part of 
the process to obtain approval through the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Forms needing OMB approval are contained in OMB No. 0581-
0215 and include forms for committee nominations and ballots for 
producers (FV-245 and FV-246) and handlers (FV-245A and FV-244), as 
well as background statements for those nominated who agree to serve on 
the Committee (FV-243). In addition, all producers and/or handlers in 
the regulated area are required to sign a marketing order agreement 
(FV-242), and referendums on amendments to (FV-240A), and continuation 
of (FV-240), the order. There are also forms to report on receipts/
assessments (ACP-1), minimal testing for aflatoxins (ACP-5), inter-
handler transfer (ACP-6), inventory shipments (ACP-7), producer 
delivery (ACP-8), exemptions for handlers (ACP-4), and failed lot 
notifications (ACP-2) and dispositions (ACP-3).
    AMS intends to merge OMB packets No. 0581-0215, ``Pistachios Grown 
in California,'' and No. 0581-0256, ``Pistachios Grown in CA 
(Recommended Decision AZ and NM)''. By doing so, OMB packet No. 0581-
0215 forms will also cover the New Mexico and Arizona regions of the 
marketing order.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 17 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers and testing 
laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 821.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 893.2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 206.90 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the 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: September 30, 2010.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-25065 Filed 10-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P