E8-309. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 7, 2008.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

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: Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetable and Related Products—7 CFR 52.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0123.

Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h) requires and directs the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out voluntary inspection and grading services of processed fruits and vegetables on a fee for service basis. The Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruit and Vegetables and Related Products (7 CFR part 52) authorizes the collection of information to assure that the products sampled, inspected, graded and certified are actually the products requested to be sampled and inspected.

Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) uses the data collected for grading and certification purposes and for hiring licensed samplers. The following forms are used by AMS for information collection: FV-159, Application for Inspection of Unofficially Submitted Samples of Food Products, the information collected is used to determine the purpose for which the inspection is desired for unofficially submitted samples. FV-356, Application for Inspection and Certificate of Sampling, the information is used to fill in the respondent's name and address, and to describe the containers, the location code marks and the number of containers in the lot. FV-468, Application for License to Sample Processed Foods, the information collected is used to hire prospective employees desiring to become licensed to sample processed foods and to certify as to the identification, location, kinds and condition of containers of processed products that are sampled.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 1,406.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 642.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Organic Assessment Exemption under Commodity Research and Promotion Programs.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0217.

Summary of Collection: Under the 2002 Farm Bill, Section 501 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) was amended on May 13, 2002. The FAIR Act amendment covers research and promotion programs established under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 or freestanding legislation. Any person that produces and markets solely 100 percent organic products, and does not produce any conventional or non-organic products, is exempt from paying assessments.

Need and Use of the Information: To be exempt from paying assessments, applicants must submit form AMS-15 to the applicable board or council prior to or during the initial applicable assessment period, and annually thereafter, as long as the applicant continues to be eligible for the exemption. The information collected will include name, company name, address, type of operation, list of commodities produced, a copy of the applicant's organic farm or organic handling operation certificate provided by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 2,465.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,233.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.