E7-16563. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 17, 2007.

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: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Regulations (Other than Rules of Practice) Under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0031.

Summary of Collection: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) establishes a code of fair trading practices covering the marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce. It protects growers, shippers and distributors by prohibiting unfair practices. PACA requires nearly all persons who operate as commission merchants, dealers (of which now restaurants are a subset) and brokers buying or selling fruit and or vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce to be licensed. The license for retailers and grocery wholesalers is effective for three years and for all other licensees up to three years, unless withdrawn.

Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information from the applicant to administer licensing provisions under the Act, to adjudicate contract disputes, and for the purpose of enforcing the PACA and its regulations. If this information were unavailable, it would be impossible to identify and regulate those individuals or firms that are restricted due to sanctions imposed because of the reparation or administrative actions.

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

Number of Respondents: 14,686.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 154,785.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Customer Service Survey for USDA—Donated Food Products.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0182.

Summary of Collection: Each year the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) procures about $700 million dollars of poultry, livestock, fruit, and vegetable products for the school lunch and other domestic feeding programs under authority of 7 CFR 250, Regulations for the Donation of Food for Use in the United States, its Territories and possessions and areas under its jurisdiction. To maintain and improve the quality of these products, AMS has sought to make this process more customer-driven and therefore is seeking opinions from the users of these products. AMS will use AMS-11, “Customer Opinion Postcard,” to collect information. Customers that use USDA-procured commodities to prepare and serve meals retrieve these cards from the boxes and use them to rate their perception of product flavor, texture, and appearance as well as overall satisfaction.

Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on the product type, production lot, and identify the location and type of facility in which the product was served. USDA program managers will use survey responses to maintain and improve product quality through the revision of USDA commodity specifications and follow-up action with producers of designated production lots.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-for-profit Institutions.

Number of Respondents: 8,400.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 700.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.