[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67423-67424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26542]


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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / 
Notices  

[[Page 67423]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-19-0098; SC20-983-1]


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 February 10, 2020.

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: Pushpa Kathir, Marketing Specialist, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Telephone:(202) 205-2829; 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: June 30, 2020.
    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.
    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 ``Order.'' The 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 Order that requires handlers to submit certain 
information to the Committee to effectively implement program 
requirements, 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), notify 
for failed lot dispositions (ACP-2), apply for exemption from handling 
requirements (ACP-3), request for minimal testing for aflatoxins (ACP-
4), report inter-handler transfers (ACP-5), provide monthly inventory 
and shipment data (ACP-6), and submit lists of producers and deliveries 
(ACP-7).
    In this renewal, the Committee suggested modifications to forms to 
streamline the process of pistachio handlers reporting information. The 
Failed Lot Notification (ACP-2) was combined with the Failed Lot 
Disposition and Rework Report (ACP-3) to make a new ACP-2 form. The 
remaining ACP forms were renumbered to maintain sequential order.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.28 hours per response.
    Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers, and testing 
laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1220.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1959.37.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.61.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 540.29 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of

[[Page 67424]]

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.

    Authority: Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35).

    Dated: December 2, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-26542 Filed 12-9-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P