[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12925-12926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04545]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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. 82, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 8, 2017 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12925]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-16-0123; SC17-983-1 N]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection for Pistachios Grown in California, 
Arizona, and New Mexico (Marketing Order No. 983)

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, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and 
New Mexico, pursuant to Federal Marketing Order No. 983.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: 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: www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted 
in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be 
made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of 
individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on 
the internet at the address provided above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fiona Pexton, Marketing Specialist, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8139; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Email: 
[email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, 
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 
0237, Washington, DC, 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 720-2491; Fax: (202) 
720-8938; or Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, 
Marketing Order No. 983.
    OMB Number: 0581-0215.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2017.
    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 that cannot be solved 
individually. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the 
marketing order's operations and issue regulations recommended by a 
committee of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The Specialty Crops Program is part of the larger AMS, and is 
responsible for overseeing Federal marketing order operations. The 
Specialty Crops Program was formerly named the Fruit and Vegetable 
Program. Among other modifications described below to the pistachio 
marketing order forms is the change of certain form numbers from ``FV'' 
to ``SC.''
    This notice pertains to the Federal marketing order regulating the 
handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico (7 
CFR part 983), hereinafter referred to as the ``marketing order.'' The 
marketing order authorizes grade and size requirements, as well as a 
requirement for aflatoxin testing on domestic shipments only.
    The Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) locally 
administers the marketing order. The marketing order requires handlers 
to submit certain information to the Committee to effectively implement 
the requirements of the marketing order, fulfill the intent of the 
AMAA, and assist the industry in carrying out marketing decisions. Only 
authorized employees of the Committee, and authorized representatives 
of the USDA 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).
    The forms needing OMB approval are contained in OMB No. 0581-0215 
and include Committee nominations and ballots for producers (SC-245 and 
SC-246) and handlers (SC-245A and SC-244); background statements for 
Committee nominees (SC-243); marketing agreement (SC-242); and 
referendum (SC-240A) and continuance ballots (SC-240). There are also 
forms to report assessment receipts (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 failed lot dispositions (ACP-
3).
    In this renewal, AMS has identified modifications to the forms to 
meet the pistachio industry's evolving needs. Forms noted with ``FV'' 
have been revised to ``SC'' due to the change in the agency's name. AMS 
submitted a justification of change to OMB to convert the Imported 
Pistachios--Failed Lot Notification Report (SC-249) into an electronic 
form as a result of the International Trade Data System initiative. The 
Import Pistachios--Rework and Failed Lot Disposition Report (SC-251) 
has become obsolete, since the information collected on this form can 
now be obtained from other sources. This form is being removed and is 
not included in the OMB No. 0581-0215 renewal package.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information

[[Page 12926]]

is estimated to average 0.26 hours per response.
    Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers, and testing 
laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 821.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.30.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 488.68 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: March 3, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04545 Filed 3-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P