[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49296-49297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24041]
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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. 183 / Thursday, September 19, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 49296]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-958-4 NC]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision of a
currently approved information collection for Onions Grown in Certain
Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing
Order No. 958.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 18, 1996.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Robert J. Curry, Northwest
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit
and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, room 369, Portland, OR 97204;
telephone: (503) 326-2724; Fax: (503) 326-7440.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and
Malheur County, Oregon, Marketing Order 958.
OMB Number: 0581-0087.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1996.
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. 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), marketing order programs are
established if favored by producers in referenda. The handling of the
commodity is regulated. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to
oversee order operations and issue regulations recommended by a
committee of representatives from each commodity industry.
The Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order, which has been
operating since 1957, authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality,
maturity, pack, inspection, and reporting requirements. Regulatory
provisions apply to onions shipped both within and outside of the
production area to any market, except those specifically exempt.
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
Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order program.
Under the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order, onions
shipped for processing, planting, livestock feed, and charity are
exempt from minimum grade, size, maturity, assessment, and inspection
requirements. Shipments for such onions may only be made under a
special purpose shipment exemption granted by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon
Onion Committee (Committee), which locally administers the marketing
order. Such an exemption, termed a Certificate of Privilege, helps to
ensure that special purpose onions do not enter fresh market channels.
Any handler desiring to ship onions under a Certificate of Privilege
must first apply to the Committee for an exemption from the
regulations. Such exemptions must be approved annually. Once an
exemption is granted, the handler must submit a diversion report to the
Committee on each individual shipment made to the authorized outlets.
Further, any processor purchasing onions that fail to meet fresh market
grade, must certify such onions will not be diverted to the fresh
market. Any time a handler alters inspected onions by peeling,
chopping, or slicing, a report must be filed with the Committee
indicating the intended use and destination of the onions. These forms
enable the Committee, and thus, the Secretary to better monitor special
purpose onion shipments and ensure compliance with provisions of the
marketing order and the AMAA.
Onion producers and handlers 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.
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. AMS is the primary user of the information and
authorized Committee employees are the secondary user.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.1368 hours per response.
Respondents: Onion producers, handlers, and processors handling
fresh and processed onions produced in designated counties in Idaho,
and in Malheur County, Oregon.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 484.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.035.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 215 hours.
Comments are invited on:
(1) Whether the proposed collection of the 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 the burden of the
proposed collection of information including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
[[Page 49297]]
(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.
Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0087 and Marketing Order No.
958, and be sent to USDA in care of Robert J. Curry, Northwest
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit
and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, room 369, Portland, OR 97204. All
comments received will be available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the same address.
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 13, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-24041 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
