[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47733-47734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23017]
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 176 / Tuesday, September 10, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 47733]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-911-5 NC]
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention
to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved
information collection for Limes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No.
911, and Avocados Grown in South Florida, Marketing Order No. 915.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 12, 1996 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe,
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division,
AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2522-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456;
telephone: 202-720-5127; or Aleck J. Jonas, Marketing Specialist,
Southeast Marketing Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Division,
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O.
Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 33883; telephone: (941) 299-4770, Fax
(941) 299-5169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Limes Grown in Florida
Title: Limes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 911.
OMB Number: 0581-0091.
Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1997.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Avocados Grown in South Florida
Title: Avocados Grown in South Florida, Marketing Order No. 915.
OMB Number: 0581-0078.
Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1997.
Type of Request: Extension and revision 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. The marketing orders' regulations
help ensure adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate
returns to producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of
1937 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into
marketing order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to
oversee the marketing order operations and issue regulations
recommended by a committee of representatives from each commodity
industry.
The information collection requirements in this request are
essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the
Florida lime and avocado marketing order programs, which have been
operating since 1955 and 1954, respectively.
The lime order authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality,
container, pack, and flow-to-market regulations. The avocado order
authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, maturity, container,
and pack regulations. Both orders authorize production research, and
market research and development. Regulatory provisions apply to limes
and avocados shipped both within and out of the production area to any
market, except those specifically exempt.
The orders, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize
the Florida Lime Administrative Committee and the Avocado
Administrative Committee as the agencies responsible for local
administration of the orders. The orders require handlers and producers
to submit certain information. Much of this information is compiled in
aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in marketing
decisions.
The committees have developed forms as a means for persons to file
required information with the committees relating to lime and avocado
supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to
effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and the marketing order
programs. Florida limes and avocados are shipped throughout the year,
and these forms are utilized accordingly. A Department form is used to
allow producers to vote on amendments to or continuance of the
marketing orders. In addition, lime and avocado producers and handlers
who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the
committees must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
Formal rulemaking amendments to the orders 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 orders. Such referenda ballots are included in this request.
These forms require the minimum information necessary to
effectively carry out the requirements of the orders, and their use is
necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act as expressed in the orders.
The information collected is used only by authorized
representatives of the Department, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable
Division regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of
the respective committees. AMS is the primary user of the information
and authorized committee employees are the secondary users.
Limes Grown in Florida
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.13 hours per response.
Respondents: Lime producers and for-profit businesses handling
fresh limes produced in Florida.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 55.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 14.1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 101 hours.
Avocados Grown in South Florida
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.11 hours per response.
[[Page 47734]]
Respondents: Avocado producers and for-profit businesses handling
fresh avocados produced in Florida.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 208.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.48.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 103 hours.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the
marketing orders and the Department's oversight of those programs,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the AMS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection
of information including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collections techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments should reference either or both the OMB No. 0581-0091 (the
Florida Lime Marketing Order No. 911), and OMB No. 0581-0078 (the
Florida Avocado Marketing Order No. 915), and be sent to USDA in the
care of Caroline C. Thorpe or Aleck J. Jonas at the addresses above.
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: September 3, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-23017 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
