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[Federal Register: April 12, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 69)]
[Notices]               
[Page 18471-18472]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ap10-27]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-FV-10-0022; FV10-033-1NC.]

 
Notice of Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden

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 for renewal a recordkeeping burden 
for the information collection for the Export Fruit Acts covering 
exports of apples and grapes.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 11, 2010 to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Andrew Hatch, 
Supervisory Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC, 20250-0237; telephone (202) 
720-6862 or Fax (202) 720-8938.
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Antoinette Carter, Marketing Order Administration Branch, 
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 690-3919, Fax: 
(202) 720-8938.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Export Fruit Regulations--Export Apple Act (7 CFR part 33) 
and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR part 35).
    OMB Number: 0581-0143.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2010.
    Type of Request: Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden.
    Abstract: Fresh apples and grapes grown in the United States 
shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum quality and other 
requirements established by regulations issued under the Export Apple 
Act (7 U.S.C. 581-590) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 U.S.C. 591-
599)(Acts), which are found respectively at 7 CFR parts 33 and 35. 
Currently, plums are not regulated under the Act. The regulations 
issued under the Acts cover exports of fresh apples and grapes grown in 
the United States and shipped to foreign destinations, except Canada 
and Mexico. Certain limited quantity provisions may exempt some 
shipments and exporters from this information collection. The Secretary 
of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the implementation of the Acts 
and issue regulations regarding that activity.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent and administration of the Acts. Both 
Acts were designed to promote foreign trade in the export of apples, 
grapes and plums grown in the United States; to protect the reputation 
of the American-grown commodities; and to prevent deception or 
misrepresentation of the quality of such products moving in foreign 
commerce. The Acts have been in effect since 1933 (apples) and 1960 
(grapes).
    Specific regulations issued under the Acts (7 CFR Sec.  33.11 for 
apples, and Sec.  35.12 for grapes) require that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) officially inspect and certify that each export 
shipment of fresh apples and grapes is in compliance with quality and 
shipping requirements effective under the Acts. Shipments are inspected 
and certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Program (FSIP) 
inspectors. FSIP is administered by USDA.
    The information collection requirements in this request impose the 
minimum burden necessary to effectively administer the Acts.
    The information collection burden for this action is primarily in 
the form of recordkeeping. Export Form Certificates (certificates) 
issued by FSIP are used to facilitate the export process. The 
certificates are not completed by the exporters or carriers and are not 
filed with USDA. The certificates are retained by each exporter, and 
third party carrier which ships the commodity, to verify their 
compliance with the Acts. There are an estimated 80 exporters of apples 
and grapes and an estimated 20 carriers which transport those 
shipments. Pursuant to the Acts, exporters and carriers must retain 
inspection certificates for three (3) years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Recordkeepers: Apple and grape exporters and carriers.
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance

[[Page 18472]]

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 the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this rule. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 
20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.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 
during regular business hours at the same address, or can be viewed at: 
http://www.regulations.gov. 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 7, 2010.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-8286 Filed 4-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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