[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19045-19046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07706]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-14-0017]


Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order; 
Request for Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information 
Collection for Which Approval has Expired

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 document announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request reinstatement of a previously 
approved information collection from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), for which approval has expired for the Christmas Tree 
Promotion, Research, and Information Program (Order). In addition, to 
the Order, we are including the burden and ballot form from a 
previously approved information collection that expired, titled 
Referendum for Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information 
Program.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 6, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov 
or sent to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable 
Program, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0244, or by 
facsimile to (202) 205-2800. All comments should reference the document 
number, the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. 
All comments received will be posted without change, including any 
personal information provided, online at http://www.regulations.gov and 
will be made available for public inspection at the above physical 
address during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Betts at the above address, by 
telephone at (202) 720-9915, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Program 
(Order).
    OMB Number: 0581-0268.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection 
for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The Order, which was established through the publication 
of a final rule on November 8, 2011 (76 FR 69094), was created to help 
strengthen the position of Christmas trees in the marketplace, and 
maintain, develop, and expand markets for Christmas trees in the United 
States. The Order is authorized under the Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425). 
On November 17, 2011, a final rule was published that stayed 
indefinitely the regulations establishing the Order (76 FR 71241) to 
provide additional time for USDA to reach out to the Christmas tree 
industry and the public to explain how a research and promotion program 
is a producer driven program to support American farmers.
    The stay is being lifted in accordance with the provisions of the 
Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), and the Christmas tree 
program will be administered by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board 
(Board) appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and financed by a 
mandatory assessment on producers and importers of fresh cut Christmas 
trees. The assessment rate will be $0.15 per Christmas tree cut and 
sold domestically or imported into the United States. The program will 
provide for an exemption for producers and importers that cut and sell 
or import fewer than 500 Christmas trees annually. A referendum will be 
held among eligible producers and importers to determine whether they 
favor continuation of the program three years after assessments first 
begin.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Order when the stay is lifted 
under the authority of the 2014 Farm Bill. Section 10014 of the Farm 
Bill states that not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Secretary of Agriculture shall lift the 
administrative stay that was imposed and published in the Federal 
Register on November 17, 2011.

[[Page 19046]]

    The Order's provisions have been carefully reviewed, and every 
effort has been made to minimize any unnecessary recordkeeping costs or 
requirements, including efforts to utilize information already 
submitted under other Christmas tree programs administered by USDA and 
other State programs.
    The forms covered under this collection require the minimum 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
program, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Order. 
Such information can be supplied without data processing equipment or 
outside technical expertise. In addition, there are no additional 
training requirements for individuals filling out reports and remitting 
assessments to the Board. The forms are simple, easy to understand, and 
place as small a burden as possible on the person required to file the 
information.
    Collecting information yearly would coincide with normal industry 
business practices. The timing and frequency of collecting information 
are intended to meet the needs of the industry while minimizing the 
amount of work necessary to fill out the required reports. The 
requirement to keep records for two years beyond the fiscal period of 
their applicability is consistent with normal industry practices. In 
addition, the information to be included on these forms is not 
available from other sources because such information relates 
specifically to individual producers and importers who will be subject 
to the provisions of the Order. Therefore, there is no practical method 
for collecting the required information without the use of these forms.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which 
requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the 
option of submitting information or transacting business electronically 
to the maximum extent possible.
    In addition to the information collection Christmas Tree Promotion, 
Research and Information Program (Order) (OMB No. 0581-0268), we are 
including the burden and ballot form from the previously approved 
information collection Referendum for Christmas Tree Promotion, 
Research and Information Program (OMB No. 0581-0267). Upon 
reinstatement of these previously approved collection for which 
approval has expired, we will submit a discontinuation request for the 
0581-0267 to OMB.
    Estimate of Burden: Public recordkeeping burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.398 hour per response.
    Respondents: Producers and importers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,455.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 26,885.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.16.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,701 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 document will be summarized and included in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

    Dated: April 2, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-07706 Filed 4-4-14; 8:45 am]
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