[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23736-23737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09380]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-13-0014; FV13-033-1NC.]


Notice of Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden

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 for renewal a recordkeeping burden 
for the information collection for the Export Fruit Acts covering 
exports of apples and grapes.

DATES: Comments on this notice are due by June 21, 2013 to be assured 
of consideration.
    Additional Information: Contact Andrew Hatch, Chief, Program 
Services Branch, Marketing Order and

[[Page 23737]]

Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Telephone (202) 720-6862 or Email: [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, 
Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
STOP 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 690-
3919 or Email: [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 Program, 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) 
and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden.
    Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States 
shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum quality and other 
requirements established by regulations issued under the Export Apple 
Act (7 U.S.C. 581-590) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 U.S.C. 591-
599)(Acts), which are found respectively at 7 CFR parts 33 and 35. Plum 
provision was terminated in 1991. The regulations issued under the Acts 
cover exports of fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States and 
shipped to foreign destinations, except Canada and Mexico. Certain 
limited quantity provisions may exempt some shipments and exporters 
from this information collection. The Secretary of Agriculture is 
authorized to oversee the implementation of the Acts and issue 
regulations regarding that activity.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the Acts. Both 
Acts were designed to promote foreign trade in the export of apples, 
grapes and plums grown in the United States; to protect the reputation 
of the American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or 
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign 
commerce. The Acts have been in effect since 1933 (apples) and 1960 
(grapes).
    Specific regulations issued under the Acts (7 CFR 33.11 for apples, 
and 35.12 for grapes) require that the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) officially inspect and certify that each export shipment of 
fresh apples and grapes is in compliance with quality and shipping 
requirements effective under the Acts. Shipments are inspected and 
certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Program (FSIP) 
inspectors. FSIP is administered by USDA.
    The information collection requirements in this request impose the 
minimum burden necessary to effectively administer the Acts.
    The information collection burden for this action is primarily in 
the form of recordkeeping. Export Form Certificates (certificates) 
issued by FSIP are used to facilitate the export process. The 
certificates are not completed by the exporters or carriers and are not 
filed with USDA. The certificates are retained by each exporter, and 
third party carrier which ships the commodity, to verify their 
compliance with the Acts. There are an estimated 82 exporters of apples 
and grapes and an estimated 20 carriers which transport those 
shipments. Pursuant to the Acts, exporters and carriers must retain 
inspection certificates for three (3) years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .14 hours per response.
    Recordkeepers: Apple and grape exporters and carriers.
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 102.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 26 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 also become a matter of 
public record. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection at the street address in the ``Comment'' section and can be 
viewed at: www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: April 16, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09380 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P