[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20161-20162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06001]


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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 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 20161]]



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 April 22, 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 Classing, Testing, and Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0008.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Cotton Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 51, 
53 and 55, authorizes the USDA to supervise the various activities 
directly associated with the classification or grading of cotton, 
cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA Standards. The 
Cotton and Tobacco Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service 
carries out this supervision and is responsible for the maintenance of 
the functions to which these forms relate. USDA is the only Federal 
agency authorized to establish and promote the use of the official 
cotton standards of the U.S. in interstate and foreign commerce and to 
supervise the various activities associated with the classification or 
grading of cotton, cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official 
USDA standards.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service 
collects the information using various forms. Form FD-210 (formerly CN-
357) is submitted by owners of cotton to request cotton classification 
services. The request contains information for USDA to ascertain proper 
ownership of the samples submitted, distribute classification results, 
and bill for services. Information about the origin and handling of the 
cotton is necessary in order to properly evaluate and classify the 
samples.
    Form CN-246 is submitted by cotton gins and warehouses seeking to 
serve as licensed samplers. The license period is 5 years. Licenses 
issued by the USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program authorize the 
warehouse/gin to draw and submit samples to ensure the proper 
application of standards in the classification of cotton and to prevent 
deception in their use.
    Form CN-383 is a package of forms designated as CN-383-a through 
CN-383-k which is submitted by cotton producers, ginners, warehouseman, 
cooperatives, manufacturers, merchants, and crushers interested in 
acquiring cotton classification standards and round testing services. 
Forms CN-383-a,b,c,d,h,i and k are used for ordering cotton 
classification standards. Forms CN-383-e,f,g and j are used for 
ordering round testing services. For the round testing services, 
additional data sheets are produced and provided by USDA for the 
purpose of collecting test data. Since the last information collection 
renewal, on form 383A, the ranges of values for the cotton were 
replaced by Xs due to slight changes that occur in the range of cotton 
values as the agency procures cottons and establishes values.
    If this information is not collected or collected less frequency, 
Federal services could not be provided as authorized by the U.S. Cotton 
Standards Act.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 858.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 134.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Vegetable and Specialty Crops.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0178.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937 (7 U.S.C. 601-674; Act) was designed to permit regulation of 
certain agricultural commodities for the purpose of providing orderly 
marketing conditions in interstate commerce and improving returns to 
growers. The Orders and Agreements become effective only after public 
hearings are held in accordance with formal rulemaking procedures 
specified by the Act. The vegetable, and specialty crops marketing 
order programs provide an opportunity for producers in specified 
production areas to work together to solve marketing problems that 
cannot be solved individually.
    Need and Use of the Information: Various forms are used to collect 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
Act and the Order/Agreement. This includes forms covering the selection 
process for industry members to serve on a marketing order's committee 
or board and ballots used in referenda to amend or continue marketing 
orders. Orders and Agreements can authorize the issuance of grade, 
size, quality, maturity, inspection requirements, pack and container 
requirements, and pooling and volume regulations. Information collected 
is used to formulate market policy, track current inventory and 
statistical data for market development programs, ensure compliance, 
and verify eligibility,

[[Page 20162]]

monitor and record grower's information. If this information were not 
collected, it would eliminate data needed to keep the industry and the 
Secretary abreast of changes at the State and local level.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 14,190.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion, Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 18,438.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: National Organic Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0191.
    Summary of Collection: The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 
(OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. chapter 94) (Attachment 1), authorized the 
Secretary of Agriculture to establish the National Organic Program 
(NOP) and accredit certifying agents to certify that farms and 
businesses meet national organic standards. Under OFPA, the purpose of 
the NOP is to: (1) establish national standards governing the marketing 
of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) 
assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent 
standard; and (3) facilitate interstate commerce in fresh and processed 
food that is organically produced (7 U.S.C. 6501).
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
by USDA, State program governing State officials, and certifying 
agents. The information is used to evaluate compliance with OFPA and 
NOP for administering the program, for management decisions and 
planning, for establishing the cost of the program and to support any 
administrative and regulatory actions in response to non-compliance 
with OFPA. Certifying agents will have to submit an application to USDA 
to become accredited to certify organic production and handling 
operations. Auditors will review the application, perform site 
evaluation and submit reports to USDA, who will make a decision to 
grant or deny accreditation. Producers, handlers and certifying agents 
whose operations are not approved have the right to mediation and 
appeal the decision. Reporting and recordkeeping are essential to the 
integrity of the organic certification system. If the collection of 
information was not conducted, the AMS would not be able to carry out 
the intent of Congress as it enforces the OFPA.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit; 
State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 55,285.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,940,459.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: List of U.S. Manufacturers of Specific CVM-Regulated 
Products with Interest in Exporting Covered Products to China.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0339.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA) 
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) as amended directs and authorizes the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide inspection, certification, 
and verification services of the quality and condition of agricultural 
products which facilitate the marketing of agricultural products. To 
provide programs and services, section 203(h) of the AMA (7 U.S.C. 
1622(h)) directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
inspect, certify, and verify agricultural products under such rules and 
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, including assessment and 
collection of fees for the cost of service. The regulation in 7 CFR 
62--AMS Audit Verification and Accreditation Programs is a collection 
of voluntary, audit-based, user-fee funded verification programs that 
allow applicants to have program documentation and program processes 
assessed by AMS auditor(s) and other USDA officials.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
only by authorized representatives of USDA (AMS, Livestock and Poultry 
Program's QAD auditing staff) and is used to conduct services requested 
by respondents. Information collected includes but is not limited to 
facility name, address, and identifier, and product. The information 
collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the 
intent of the AMA, to provide the respondents the type of service they 
request, and to administer the program.
    Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 450.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 37.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-06001 Filed 3-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P