[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 146 (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50099-50100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16296]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-23-0011]


Notice of Request for Renewal of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

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) 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 October 2, 2023 to be assured 
of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Contact Thomas Nalepa, Marketing Specialist, Rulemaking 
Services Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops 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 complying with the 
regulation and responding to this notice by contacting Richard Lower, 
Market Development 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].
    Comments: Comments should reference the document number and the 
date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register, and be 
mailed to

[[Page 50100]]

the Docket Clerk, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; 
or submitted through the internet at https://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: September 30, 2023.
    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 at 7 CFR parts 33 and 35, respectively. 
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). Currently, plums are not regulated under the Export Grape and 
Plum Act.
    The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the 
implementation of the Acts and issue regulations regarding that 
activity. Regulations issued under the Acts cover exports of fresh 
apples and grapes grown in the United States and shipped to foreign 
destinations, except for grapes shipped to Canada or Mexico and apples 
in bulk bins shipped to Canada. Certain limited quantity provisions may 
exempt some shipments from this information collection. 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 complies with quality and shipping requirements effective under 
the Acts.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the Acts. The 
currently approved collection under OMB No. 0581-0143 authorizes the 
use of an Export Form Certificate (SC-205). Federal or Federal-State 
Inspection Program (FSIP) inspectors use the Export Form Certificate to 
certify inspection of the shipment for exports bound for non-Canadian 
destinations. Procedures require shippers to maintain and provide, upon 
USDA's request, a paper or electronic copy of the SC-205 when needed 
for USDA to monitor compliance with regulations. Based on procedures 
amended in 2016 and approved by OMB for information collection 
purposes, carriers, which transport goods on behalf of shippers, are no 
longer required to maintain a copy of the SC-205.
    Estimate of Burden: Public recordkeeping burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.058 hours per response.
    Respondents (Recordkeepers): Apple and grape export shippers and 
carriers.
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 200 (150 shippers and carriers 
of exported apples and 50 shippers and carriers of exported grapes).
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 90,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Recordkeeper: 775 for apples and 
882 for grapes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Recordkeepers: 9,750 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.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16296 Filed 7-31-23; 8:45 am]
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