[Federal Register: April 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 82)] [Notices] [Page 23048-23049] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29ap99-22] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== [[Page 23048]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. FV99-905-2 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 905. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 28, 1999. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tershirra T. Yeager, Program Assistant, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; Telephone: (202) 720-5127 or Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E- mail: moabdocket__clerk@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 905. OMB Number: 0581-0094. Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1999. 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, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the Florida citrus marketing order program, which has been operating since 1939. The Florida citrus marketing order regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida, hereinafter referred to as the ``order''. The order authorizes the issuance of grade, size, container, and pack regulations. It also authorizes the limitation of shipments of certain grades or sizes. Regulatory provisions apply to oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos shipped outside of the production area, except for those shipments specifically exempt. The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize the Citrus Administrative Committee (committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers and producers to submit certain information. Much of this information is compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in marketing decisions. The committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file required information with the committee relating to citrus supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and order. As shipments occur throughout the year, these forms are utilized accordingly. A USDA form is used to allow producers to vote on amendments to the order and whether the order should be continued. In addition, producers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the committee must file nomination forms with the Secretary. Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever 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. 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. AMS is the primary user of the information and authorized committee employees are the secondary user. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this proposed collection of information is estimated to average 0.16915 hours per response. Respondents: Florida citrus producers and for-profit businesses handling fresh citrus. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1176. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.02. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 204 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0094 and the Florida Citrus [[Page 23049]] Marketing Order No. 905, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2525-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; Fax: (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: moabdocket__clerk@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 hours at 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, room 2525-S. 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: April 21, 1999. Robert C. Keeney, Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. [FR Doc. 99-10774 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P