[Federal Register: June 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 123)]
[Notices]
[Page 37076-37077]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn05-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV05-993-4 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 to a
currently approved information collection for Dried Prunes Produced in
California-Prune Handler Compensation Survey, Marketing Order 993.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 29, 2005.
Additional Information or Comments: Contact Valerie L. Emmer-Scott,
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-
8938, or E-mail: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov.
Small businesses may request information on this notice by
contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 720-2491; Fax (202)
720-8938, or E-mail: Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Dried Prunes Produced in California, Marketing Order 993.
OMB Number: 0581-0208.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2006.
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 in referendum among producers. The Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is authorized to oversee the order's operations and
issue regulations recommended by a committee or board of
representatives from each regulated commodity industry. The Prune
Marketing Committee (Committee) is responsible for locally
administering the California Dried Prune Marketing Order, M.O. No. 993
(order).
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
dried prune marketing order program (7 CFR part 993), which has been
operating since 1949.
The California dried prune marketing order authorizes the issuance
of grade and size regulations, inspection requirements, and volume
regulations, when in effect. Regulatory provisions apply to dried
prunes shipped both within and outside the production area to any
market, except those specifically exempt. The order also has authority
for research and development projects. Import grade and conditions
requirements are implemented on dried prunes imported into the United
States, pursuant to section 608(e)(1) of the AMAA.
Under the order, handlers are compensated for necessary services
performed in connection with reserve prunes including, but not limited
to, inspection, receiving, storing, grading and fumigation. To assist
the Committee in formulating the compensation rates, current costs
associated with those services will be obtained through a survey
voluntarily submitted by dried prune handlers. The Committee will
compute average costs, based on the number of handlers participating in
the survey, and will announce the compensation rate for handling
reserve prunes.
This survey is needed so that the Committee can compute the average
industry cost for holding reserve prunes. It will also allow the
Committee to evaluate this information, update the compensation rate,
and reimburse handlers for actual costs incurred in holding reserve
prunes. This survey will be used when a reserve pool is recommended by
the Committee.
The information collected is used only by authorized
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs' regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the
primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
Respondents: Dried Prune Handlers who handle reserve prunes.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 22.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5.5 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of
information
[[Page 37077]]
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.
Upon OMB approval, this information collection will be merged into
the information collection currently approved under OMB No. 0581-0178,
Vegetable and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders.
Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0211 and the California
Dried Prune Marketing Order No. 993, and be mailed to Docket Clerk,
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202)
720-8938; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or E-mail: moab.docketclerk@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 also become a matter of
public record.
Dated: June 23, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12698 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P