[Federal Register: October 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 195)]
[Notices]
[Page 59427-59428]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10oc06-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV06-930-3NC]
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 Tart Cherries Grown in
the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah,
Washington and Wisconsin, Marketing Order No. 930.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 11, 2006.
Additional Information or Comments:
Contact John Heffernan, Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;
telephone number (202) 720-8139, fax number (202) 720-8938, or e-mail
address: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov.
Small business may request information on this notice by contacting
Jay Guerber, Regulatory Fairness Representative, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;
telephone number (202) 720-2491, fax number (202) 720-8938, or e-mail
address: jay.guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Tart Cherries Grown in the States of
Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and
Wisconsin, Marketing Order No. 930.
OMB Number: 0581-0177.
Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2007.
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) industries enter into marketing
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee
the 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, and to administer the
program, which has operated since 1996.
The tart cherry marketing order (7 CFR part 930) regulates the
handling of tart cherries in the States of Michigan, New York,
Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, hereinafter
referred to as the ``order''. The order authorizes volume regulations
that provide for a reserve pool in times of heavy cherry supplies.
Other major marketing order provisions not currently in use include
minimum grade and size regulations and authorization for market
research and development projects, including paid advertising.
The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize
the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board), the agency
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers
and growers to submit certain information. Much of this information is
compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in
carrying out marketing decisions.
The Board has developed forms as a means for persons to file
required information with the Board relating to tart cherry
inventories, shipments, diversions, and other information needed to
effectively carry out the requirements of the order, and their use is
necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA. This order regulates tart
cherries that are frozen or processed in another form, therefore,
reporting requirements will be in effect all year. A USDA form is used
to allow growers to vote on amendments or continuance of the marketing
order. In addition, tart cherry growers and handlers who are nominated
by their peers to serve as representatives on the Board must file
nomination forms with the Secretary. Formal rulemaking amendments to
the order must be approved in grower referenda conducted by the
Secretary. In addition, USDA may conduct a referendum to determine
industry support for continuation of the order. Finally, handlers are
asked to sign an agreement to indicate their willingness to comply with
the provisions of the order if the order is amended. These forms are
included in this request.
The forms covered under this information collection require the
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the
AMAA as expressed in the order, and the rules and regulations issued
under the order.
The information collected is used only by authorized
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of
the Board. Authorized Board 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 .182 hours per response.
Respondents: Tart cherry growers and for-profit businesses handling
fresh and processed tart cherries produced in Michigan, New York,
Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 943.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.96.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 853 hours.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed
collection of the 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 OMB No. 0581-0177 and the Tart Cherry
Marketing Order No. 930, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone number (202) 720-8139, fax number
(202) 720-8938, or e-mail address: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov. Comments
should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this
issue of the Federal Register. All comments received will be available
for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular
USDA business
[[Page 59428]]
hours at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.
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: October 3, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-16634 Filed 10-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P