[Federal Register: April 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 78)]
[Notices]
[Page 21811-21812]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap04-36]
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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 21811]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-04-337]
Request for New Information Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
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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's) intention to request approval for the ``Qualified
Through Verification'' Program (QTV) information collection.
DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before June 21, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to: Branch Chief, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. Terry B. Bane at the same
address and fax number above, or e-mail terry.bane@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: QTV is a voluntary HACCP-based program
serving only the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable processing industry. The
regulations in 7 CFR Part 52 provide for voluntary facility assessment
programs that are paid for entirely by the user (user-fee) to verify
their ability to produce wholesome food. QTV does not relieve
participants from enforcement by the FDA or from under other applicable
programs.
USDA published in the Federal Register on September 4, 1998 (63 FR
47220) a notice regarding the QTV program and asked for public comment.
The comment period closed November 3, 1998. AMS received 28 comments
from a wide range of sources, including trade associations, academia,
members of Congress, state and local government agencies, and
manufacturers.
Comments received addressed both implementation of the program as
well as technical details of the program's operation. The majority of
the recommendations raised by the comments were incorporated into the
program.
Title: ``Qualified Through Verification'' Program (QTV).
OMB Number: 0581-XXXX.
Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from the date of OMB approval.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621- et
seq.) (AMA) directs and authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
to develop standards of quality, grades, grading programs, and
voluntary services under the regulations, e.g., contract and
specification acceptance services, facility assessment services and
certifications of quantity and quality.
To provide programs and services, section 203(h) of the AMA directs
and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide contract and
specification acceptance services, facility assessment and other
services under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe, including assessment and collection of fees for the cost of
the service.
The QTV program is a voluntary program. Respondents need to request
the service in writing, providing their processing information. In
accordance with the AMA, the Agency will examine and verify the
provided information and based on the information collected, assess and
collect a fee from the respondent for the cost of the service. The
information is collected to carry out the intent of the AMA, and is
used only to provide the respondents the service they have requested,
and to administer the program. This information is used only by
authorized representatives of the USDA (AMS, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs' national staff; regional directors and their staffs; Area
Officers-in Charge and their staffs; and resident Federal graders).
The participant's use of appropriate automated, electronic or
mechanical information collection methods is based on established
industry standards and the sophistication of the processor's systems.
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.
Following the QTV program procedures, the respondent must provide
processing information in writing to request service.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.68 hours per response.
Respondents: Applicants who are applying to participate in the
Qualified Through Verification (QTV) Program.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 469.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,372.
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 Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; faxed to (202) 690-
1087; or e-mailed to 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.
[[Page 21812]]
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: April 19, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9158 Filed 4-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P