[Federal Register: March 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 60)]
[Notices]
[Page 16224-16225]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr04-24]
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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 16224]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. FV03-33-1NC]
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 to a
currently approved Information Collection for the Export Fruit Acts
covering exports of apples and grapes.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2004 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this rule. Comments should reference the docket number and
the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMSA, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; fax
(202) 720-8938; or e-mail to: http://www.regulations.gov.
Additional Information or Comments: Contact Caroline Thorpe,
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237,
telephone (202) 720-8139 or fax (202) 720-8938, or e-mail to
caroline.thorpe@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export
Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) and Export Grape and Plums (7 CFR part 35).
OMB Number: 0581-0143.
Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2004.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
Information Collection.
Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States and
shipped to a designated foreign destination must meet minimum quality
and other requirements established by regulations issued under the
Export Apple Act (7 U.S.C. 581-590) and the Export Grape and Plum Act
(7 U.S.C. 591-599) (Acts). Currently, plums are not regulated under the
Act. The regulations issued under the Acts cover exports of fresh
apples and grapes grown in the United States and shipped to foreign
destinations, except Canada and Mexico. Certain limited quantity
provisions may exempt some shipments and exporters from this
Information Collection. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to
oversee the implementation of the Acts and issue regulations regarding
that activity.
The Information Collection requirements in this request are
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the Acts. Both
Acts were designed to promote foreign trade in the export of apples,
grapes and plums grown in the United States; to protect the reputation
of the American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign
commerce. The Acts have been in effect since 1933 (apples) and 1960
(grapes).
The regulations issued under the Acts (7 CFR 33.11 for apples and
Sec. 35.12 for grapes) require that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) officially inspect and certify that each export shipment of
fresh apples and grapes is in compliance with quality and shipping
requirements effective under the Acts. Shipments are inspected and
certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service (FSIS)
inspectors. FSIS is administered by USDA.
The Information Collection requirements in this action impose the
minimum burden necessary to effectively administer the Acts.
The Information Collection burden for this action is primarily in
the form of recordkeeping. Export Form Certificates (certificates)
issued by FSIS are used to facilitate the export process. The
certificates are not completed by the exporters or carriers and are not
filed with USDA. The certificates are retained by each exporter, and
third party carrier which ships the commodity, to verify their
compliance with the Acts. There are an estimated 80 exporters of apples
and grapes and an estimated 20 carriers which transport those
shipments. Pursuant to the Acts, exporters and carriers must retain
inspection certificates for three years.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
Recordkeepers: Apple and grape exporters and carriers.
Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 100.
Estimated Number of Responses: 100.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Recordkeepers: 25 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Comments may be sent to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, D.C.
20250-0237. Comments should reference the docket number, the date, and
the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments
received will be available for public inspection during regular
business hours in Room 2525 at the same address. All comments received
on this action can be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.
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.
[[Page 16225]]
Dated: March 25, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7037 Filed 3-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P