96-31028. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 236 (Friday, December 6, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 64661-64662]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-31028]
    
    
    ========================================================================
    Notices
                                                    Federal Register
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    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.
    
    ========================================================================
    
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 236 / Friday, December 6, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
    [[Page 64661]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Agricultural Marketing Service
    [Docket No. FV96-916-2NC]
    
    
    Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
    Information Collection
    
    AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.L. 
    104-13), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
    (AMS) intention to request an extension to a currently approved 
    information collection for Nectarines Grown in California, Marketing 
    Order No. 916.
    
    DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 4, 1997 to 
    be assured of consideration.
    
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Kenneth G. Johnson, 
    Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Room 2525-
    S, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. 
    Department of Agriculture, Post Office Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-
    6456, telephone: (202) 720-5127, Fax (202) 720-5698; or Terry Vawter, 
    Marketing Specialist, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing 
    Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, 
    2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, California, 93721; telephone: 
    (209) 487-5901.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Title: Nectarines Grown in California, Marketing Order 916.
        OMB Number: 0581-0072.
        Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1997.
        Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
    collection.
        Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
    producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
    specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
    that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
    adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to 
    producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
    (AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into marketing 
    order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
    the order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
    of representatives from each commodity industry.
        The California nectarine marketing order program, which has been 
    operating since 1958, authorizes the issuance of grade, size, and 
    maturity regulations, inspection requirements, and marketing and 
    production research including paid advertising. Regulatory provisions 
    apply to nectarines shipped within and out of the area of production to 
    any market, except those specifically exempted by the marketing order.
        The information collection requirements in this request are 
    essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
    respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
    California nectarine marketing order program.
        The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
    the Nectarine Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency 
    responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
    to submit certain information. Much of this information is compiled in 
    aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in marketing 
    decisions.
        The Committee has developed forms as a convenience to persons who 
    are required to file information with the Committee needed to carry out 
    the purposes of the Act and the order. These forms require a minimum of 
    information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
    order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act as 
    expressed in the order.
        Nectarine growers who are nominated by their peers to serve as 
    representatives on the Committee must file nomination forms with the 
    Secretary.
        Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
    referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
    continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
    of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
    willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
    is amended. These forms are included in this request.
        These forms require the minimum information necessary to 
    effectively carry out the requirements of the order, and their use is 
    necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA as expressed in the order, 
    and the rules and regulations issued under the order.
        The information collected is used only by authorized 
    representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
    Division regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
    the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
    primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
        Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
    information is estimated to average 0.933 hours per response.
        Respondents: California nectarine producers and for-profit 
    businesses handling fresh nectarines produced in California.
        Estimated Number of Respondents: 1131.
        Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.015.
        Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1085 hours.
        Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
    information is necessary for the functioning of the California 
    nectarine marketing order program and USDA's oversight of that program; 
    (2) the accuracy of the collection burden estimate and the validity of 
    methodology and assumptions used in estimating the burden on 
    respondents; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
    the information requested; and (4) ways to minimize the burden, 
    including use of automated or electronic technologies.
        Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0072 and Marketing Order No. 
    916, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, 
    USDA, Post Office Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456. 
    Comments should reference the docket
    
    [[Page 64662]]
    
    number and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
    comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office 
    of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 14th & 
    Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, room 2525-S.
        All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
    request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
    record.
    
        Dated: December 2, 1996.
    Robert C. Keeney,
    Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
    [FR Doc. 96-31028 Filed 12-5-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/06/1996
Department:
Agricultural Marketing Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice and request for comments.
Document Number:
96-31028
Dates:
Comments on this notice must be received by February 4, 1997 to be assured of consideration.
Pages:
64661-64662 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FV96-916-2NC
PDF File:
96-31028.pdf