[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 50802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24780]



[[Page 50802]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV96-930-1NC]


Notice of Request To Approve an 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 information collection for a 
proposed marketing order for tart cherries. Information collection 
approval is necessary at this time since tart cherry growers and 
handlers who are nominated to serve as representatives on the Cherry 
Industry Administrative Board (Board) would need to file nomination 
forms and background acceptance statements with the Secretary of 
Agriculture. The proposed marketing order includes 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 November 26, 1996, 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Teresa L. Hutchinson, 
Marketing Specialist, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Room 369, Portland OR 97204, Tel: 
(503) 326-2724, Fax (503) 326-7440.

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: 3 years from date of approval.
    Type of Request: Approval of the collection of information under a 
new proposed marketing order for tart cherries.
    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 [7 
U.S.C. 601-674], (AMAA), as amended, industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the orders' 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 
proposed tart cherry marketing order program.
    If an order is implemented, the Board would have to be established. 
The Board is the organization responsible for local administration of 
the marketing order. This would entail individuals that are nominated 
to complete qualification statements to ensure such person is qualified 
to serve on the Board.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including AMS, 
Fruit and Vegetable Division regional and headquarter's staff, and 
authorized employees of the Board. AMS is the primary user of the 
information and authorized committee employees are the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.2602 hours per response.
    Respondents: Tart cherry producers 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: 1,678.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.854.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 373 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the functioning of the proposed tart 
cherry marketing order program and USDA's oversight of that program; 
(2) the accuracy of the collection burden estimate and the validity of 
methodology and assumptions used in estimating the burden on 
respondents; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information requested; and (4) ways to minimize the burden, 
including use of automated or electronic technologies.
    Send comments to: Teresa L. Hutchinson, Northwest Marketing Field 
Office, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Room 369, 
Portland OR 97204. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection during regular business hours.
    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: September 23, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-24780 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P