2016-19826. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 16, 2016.

The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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) 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), New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [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 by September 19, 2016. 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: Export Fruit Regulations—Export Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) and Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35).

OMB Control Number: 0581-0143.

Summary of Collection: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States and shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum quality and other requirements established by regulations issued under the Export Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35). These Acts were designed to promote the foreign trade of the United States in apples and grapes; to protect the reputation of these American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign commerce. Plum provisions in the marketing order were terminated in 1991. The regulation issued under the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35) cover fresh grapes grown in the United States and shipped to foreign destinations, except Canada and Mexico.

Need and Use of the Information: Each shipment must be inspected by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Program (FSIP) to determine if a lot of apples or grapes intended for export meet the applicable quality requirements. FSIP inspectors use the Export Form Certificate to certify inspection of the shipment for exports bound for non-Canadian destinations. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Services uses the certificates for compliance purposes. The inspector records specific information on the certificate relating to the quality of the fruit, the quantity shipped, the date shipped, vessel identification, and the intended foreign destination of the fruit. Export carriers are required to keep on file for three years copies of inspection certificates for apples and grapes.

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

Number of Respondents: 94.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; On occasion, Monthly, Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 4,381.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0263.

Summary of Collection: The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) was initially authorized under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Act) (Pub. L. 104-127). The initial legislation included a provision that privatized the NSIIC 10 years after its ratification. Subsequently, the NSIIC was privatized on September 30, 1996. In 2008, the NSIIC was re-established under Title XI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 also known as the 2008 Farm Bill. Section 11009 of the 2008 Farm Bill repealed the requirement in section 375(e)(6) of the Act to privatize the NSIIC.

The management of the NSIIC is vested in a Board of Directors (Board) that is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The primary objective of the NSIIC is to assist U.S. sheep and goat industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep, goats, and their products in the United States.

Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected using the forms “Nominations for Appointments;” “Background Information, AD-755;” and “Nominee's Agreement to Serve.” AMS accepts nominations for membership on the Board from national organizations that (1) consist primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United States and (2) have the primary interest of sheep or goat production in the United States. The information collection requirements in the request are essential to carry out the intent of the enabling legislation.

Description of Respondents: National Organizations consisting primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the U.S.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 6.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.