[Federal Register: September 28, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 187)]
[Notices]
[Page 57900]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se04-37]
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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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[[Page 57900]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-04-338]
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 intention of the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to request an extension for and
revision to a currently approved information collection in support of
the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed
Fruits and Vegetables and Related Products.
DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before November 29, 2004.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Terry B. Bane, Processed
Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-1527; or e-mail
terry.bane@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: ``Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of
Processed Fruits and Vegetables and Related Products--7 CFR 52''.
OMB Number: 0581-0123.
Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2005.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et
seq.) (AMA) directs and authorizes the Department to develop standards
of quality, grades, grading programs, and other services to facilitate
trading of agricultural products and assure consumers of quality
products which are graded and identified under USDA programs. Section
203(h) of the AMA specifically directs and authorizes the Secretary of
Agriculture to inspect, certify, and identify the grade, class,
quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural products under such
rules and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, including
assessment and collection of fees for the cost of the service. The
regulations for such services for processed fruits and vegetables and
related products may be found at 7 CFR Part 52. AMS also provides other
types of voluntary services under the same regulations, e.g., contract
and specification acceptance services, facility assessment services and
certifications of quantity and quality. Grading services are available
on a resident basis or a lot-fee basis. Respondents may request
resident service on a continuous basis or on an as-needed basis. The
service is paid for by the user (user-fee). The AMA and these
regulations do not mandate the use of these services; they are provided
only to those entities that request or apply for a specific service. In
order for the Agency to satisfy those requests for service, the Agency
must request certain information from those who apply for service. The
information collected is used only by Agency personnel and is used to
administer services requested by the respondents. Affected public may
include any partnership, association, business trust, corporation,
organized group, and State, County or Municipal government, and any
authorized agent that has a financial interest in the commodity
involved and requests service.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.05 hours per response (1124 total
hours divided by 21,068 total annual responses).
Respondents: Applicants who are applying for grading and inspection
services.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,437.
Estimated Number of Responses: 21,068.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.07.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,124.
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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Mr. Terry B. Bane,
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-
1527; or e-mail terry.bane@usda.gov.
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 22, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21626 Filed 9-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P