[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50802-50803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24781]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. FV96-923-1 NC]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.
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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 to a
currently approved information collection for Sweet Cherries Grown in
Designated Counties in Washington, Marketing Order No. 923, and Fresh
Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and Umatilla County,
Oregon, Marketing Order No. 924.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 26, 1996,
to be assured of consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Teresa L. Hutchinson,
Marketing Specialist, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Fruit and
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Room 369, Portland, OR 97204, Tel:
(503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Washington Sweet Cherries
Title: Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington,
Marketing Order No. 923.
OMB Number: 0581-0133.
Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1997.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Washington-Oregon Prunes
Title: Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and
Umatilla County, Oregon, Marketing Order No. 924.
[[Page 50803]]
OMB Number: 0581-0134.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 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. Marketing 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 in referendum among producers. Such a process
determines if the handling of the commodity is to be regulated. The
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 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 AMAA, to provide the
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the
Washington cherry marketing order program and the Washington-Oregon
fresh prune marketing order program. Both programs have been operating
since 1957 and 1960, respectively.
Both marketing orders authorize the issuance of grade, size,
quality, maturity, pack, container, inspection, and reporting
requirements. In addition, the Washington prune order also authorizes
the issuance of container marking requirements. Both the Washington
cherry order and Washington prune order also authorize the
establishment of marketing research and development projects. The
Washington prune order also authorizes the establishment of production
research. Regulatory provisions apply to Washington cherries and prunes
shipped both within and out of the production area to any market,
except those specifically exempt. These forms enable the committees,
and thus, the Secretary to better monitor exempt shipments and ensure
compliance with provisions of the marketing orders and the AMAA.
Under the Washington cherry and prune marketing orders, producers
and handlers are nominated by their respective peers. These nominees
then serve as representatives on their respective committees and 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 these marketing order programs. Handlers are asked to sign an
agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the provisions of
the respective orders whenever an 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 headquarters staff, and authorized employees of
the committee. AMS is the primary user of the information and
authorized committee employees are the secondary users.
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 AMAA as expressed in both
orders, and the rules and regulations issued under the orders.
Washington Cherries
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.199 hours per response.
Respondents: Cherry producers and for-profit businesses handling
sweet cherries produced in designated counties in Washington.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,265.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.273.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 69 hours.
Washington-Oregon Prunes
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.248 hours per response.
Respondents: Prune producers and for-profit businesses handling
fresh prunes produced in designated counties in Washington and Umatilla
County, Oregon.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 413.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.22.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 23 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the
proposed collection of information 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.
Comments should reference either or both OMB No. 0581-0133
(Washington Cherry Marketing Order No. 923), and OMB No. 0581-0134
(Washington-Oregon Prune Marketing Order No. 924), and be sent to USDA
in care of Teresa L. Hutchinson, Marketing Specialist, Northwest
Marketing Field Office, 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 23, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-24781 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
