[Federal Register: June 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 125)]
[Notices]
[Page 38668-38669]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV03-985-4NC]
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 a currently
approved information collection for the Marketing Order Regulating the
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 29, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caroline C. Thorpe, Marketing
Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237,
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Tel: (202) 720-8139, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or
E-mail: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov. All comments should reference the
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.
Small businesses 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 (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or e-mail:
Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Title: Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil
Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.
OMB Number: 0581-0065.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2004.
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
(Act), 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 Act and to administer the
program, which has operated since 1980.
The Far West spearmint marketing order regulates the handling of
spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and
designated parts of Nevada and Utah), hereinafter referred to as the
``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment provisions
for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil handled.
The order also has research and development authority.
The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize
the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers
and producers to submit certain information regarding spearmint
production. Much of this information is compiled in aggregate and
provided to the industry to assist in marketing decisions. Forms are
utilized throughout the year. The marketing year for the order is June
1 through May 31, with production occurring in the months of June
through September.
The Committee has developed forms which must be filed by handlers
to provide information to the Committee relating to spearmint
production volume, shipments, dispositions, and other information as
may be needed to effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and
order. Producers also provide certain production information to the
Committee. Another form must be submitted to the Secretary by each
nominee who wishes to serve on the Committee. The nominee would provide
information showing why he or she is qualified to serve on the
Committee. Two ballot forms may be used in referenda conducted by the
Secretary. One would ascertain whether producers support continuation
of the order. Another ballot may be used to determine whether producers
support amendments to the order. If the order is amended, handlers
would be asked to
[[Page 38669]]
sign an agreement to indicate their willingness to abide by the new or
amended provisions of the order.
The forms covered under this information collection require the
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements
of the order. Their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act
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 Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the
primary users of the information, and AMS is the secondary user.
Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .12 hours (7 minutes) per
response.
Respondents: Far West Spearmint producers and handlers and two
public members in the production area.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 195.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 142 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. 0581-0065 and the Spearmint
Marketing Order No. 985, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC
20250-0237; Fax (202) 720-8938; or E-mail: 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 hours at 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW., Washington, DC 20250. All comments should reference the docket
number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or 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 also become a matter of
public record.
Dated: June 25, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-16456 Filed 6-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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