[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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