[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14041-14042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03854]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received by March 27, 2024. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Cotton Classification and Market News Service.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0009.
    Summary of Collection: The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7 
U.S. Code 471-476, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect 
and publish annually statistics or estimates concerning the grades and 
staple lengths of stocks of cotton. In addition, Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) collects, authenticates, publishes, and distributes 
timely information of the market supply, demand, location, and market 
prices for cotton (7 U.S.C. 473B). This information is needed and used 
by all segments of the cotton industry.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the quality of cotton in the carryover stocks along with the size or 
volume of the carryover. Growers use this information in making 
decisions relative to marketing their present crop and planning for the 
next one; cotton merchants use the information in marketing decisions; 
and the mills that provide the data also use the combined data in 
planning their future purchase to cover their needs. Importers of U.S. 
cotton use the data in making their plans for purchases of U.S. cotton. 
AMS

[[Page 14042]]

and other government agencies are users of the compiled information.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 696.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 599.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Reporting Forms Under Milk Marketing Order Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0032.
    Summary of Collection: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders 
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as 
amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while 
protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order 
regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk 
in the area it covers. Currently, there are 11 milk marketing orders 
regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is 
needed to administer the classified pricing system and related 
requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting 
purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers, 
the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used 
by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other 
components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market 
administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly 
price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in 
the order. Penalties are imposed for violation of the order, such as 
the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 745.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 28,559.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Specified Commodities Imported Into the United States Exempt 
From Import Requirements, 7 CFR part 944, 980, and 999.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0167.
    Summary of Collection: Section 608e of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), requires 
that whenever the Secretary of Agriculture issues grade, size, quality, 
or maturity regulations under domestic Federal marketing orders, the 
same or comparable regulations must be used for imported commodities. 
Import regulations apply only during those periods when domestic 
marketing order regulations are in effect. No person may import 
products for processing or other exempt purposes unless an executed 
Importers Exempt Commodity Form (SC-6) accompanies the shipment. Both 
the shipper and receiver are required to register in the Compliance and 
Enforcement Management System (CEMS) to electronically file an SC-6 
certificate to notify the Marketing Order and Agreement Division (MOAD) 
of the exemption activity. MOAD provides information on its website 
about the commodities imported under section 8e of the Act and 
directions to the CEMS portal. The Civil Penalty Stipulation Agreement 
(SC-7) is a ``volunteer'' form that provides the Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) with an additional tool to obtain resolution of certain 
cases without the cost of going to a hearing.
    Need and Use of the Information: The importers wishing to import 
commodities will use the electronic or paper version of form SC-6, 
``Importer's Exempt Commodity.'' The information collected includes 
information on the imported product (type of product and lot 
identification), the importer's contact information, the U.S. Customs 
entry number, inspection date, and intended use (processing, charity, 
livestock/animal feed). In a situation where a party is alleged to have 
violated the importation regulations, AMS can use SC-7, ``Civil Penalty 
Stipulation Agreement'' form to settle the matter in exchange for the 
payment of a fine. AMS utilizes the information to ensure that imported 
goods destined for exempt outlets are given no less favorable treatment 
than afforded to domestic goods destined for such exempt outlets. If 
the information is not collected, AMS would have no way of maintaining 
a safe and legal import program for fruits, vegetables, and specialty 
crops, as this is the only method of securing compliance with section 
8e of the Act.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 79.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 581.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Organic Handler Market Promotion Assessment Exemption Under 
Federal Marketing Orders.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0216.
    Summary of Collection: 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.
    Section 10004 of the 2014 Farm Bill expanded the organic assessment 
exemption originally established by the FAIR Act. The 2014 Farm Bill 
allows all organic handlers to apply for an exemption from assessments 
on products certified as ``organic'' or ``100 percent organic,'' 
regardless of whether the handler also markets conventional or non-
organic products. At the same time, the 2014 Farm bill reduced the per 
response time to complete the form from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.
    Need and Use of the Information: Handlers submit the completed SC-
649 form to the appropriate committee, board or council once a year to 
apply for an assessment exemption to a certain percentage. The 
information gathered on this form is necessary to assist the 
committees, boards and councils to determine an applicant's eligibility 
assessment exemption and to verify compliance.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 210.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 53.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-03854 Filed 2-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P