[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85578-85579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26978]


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 Notices
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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. 88, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 85578]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-23-0048]


Notice of Request for Extension 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 an extension for the form currently used by marketers to 
apply for exemption from market promotion assessments under Federal 
marketing order programs.

DATES: Comments on this notice are due by February 6, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, 
Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: 
(202) 720-8938; or internet: https://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: https://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: Thomas Nalepa, Marketing Specialist, 
Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8085, Email: [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Room 1406-
S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8085; or Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Organic Handler Market Promotion Assessment Exemption under 
Federal Marketing Orders.
    OMB Number: 0581-0216.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2024.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops in specified 
production areas to work together to solve marketing problems that 
cannot be solved individually.
    Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 601-674), marketing orders may authorize production and 
marketing research, including paid advertising, to promote various 
commodities, which is paid for by assessments that are levied on the 
handlers who are regulated by the Orders.
    On May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (7 
U.S.C. 7901) amended the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7201), exempting any person who handles or markets 
solely 100 percent organic products from paying these assessments with 
respect to any agricultural commodity that is produced on a certified 
organic farm, as defined in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 6502). A certified organic handler can apply for this exemption 
by completing a ``Certified Organic Handler Application for Exemption 
from Market Promotion Assessments Paid Under Federal Marketing 
Orders,'' and submitting it to the applicable marketing order committee 
or board.
    Section 900.700 of the regulations (7 CFR 900.700) provides for 
exemption from assessments. This notice applies to the following 
marketing orders: 7 CFR parts 906 (Oranges and grapefruit grown in 
Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas), 915 (Avocados grown in south 
Florida), 923 (Sweet cherries grown in designated counties in 
Washington), 925 (Grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern 
California), 927 (Pears grown in Oregon and Washington), 929 
(Cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long 
Island in New York), 930 (Tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin), 932 (Olives 
grown in California), 948 (Irish potatoes grown in Colorado), 955 
(Vidalia onions grown in Georgia), 956 (Sweet onions grown in the Walla 
Walla Valley of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon), 958 (Onions 
grown in certain designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, 
Oregon), 959 (Onions grown in South Texas), 966 (Tomatoes grown in 
Florida), 981 (Almonds grown in California), 982 (Hazelnuts grown in 
Oregon and Washington), 984 (Walnuts grown in California), 985 
(Spearmint oil produced in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of 
Nevada and Utah), 986 (Pecans produced in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, 
California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas), 987 
(Domestic dates produced or packed in Riverside County, California), 
989 (Raisins produced from grapes grown in California), and 993 (Dried 
prunes produced in California).
    The information collected is used only by authorized marketing 
order committee or board employees, who are the primary users of the 
information, and by authorized representatives of the USDA, including 
the AMS Specialty Crops Program's regional and headquarters staff, who 
are the secondary users of the information.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Respondents are eligible certified organic handlers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.

[[Page 85579]]

    Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 210.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 52.5 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) was 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.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-26978 Filed 12-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P