[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20041]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV97-998-2 NC]


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 Marketing Agreement No. 
146 Regulating the Quality of Domestically Produced Peanuts (7 CFR part 
998).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 29, 1997 
to be assured of consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Jim Wendland, Marketing 
Specialist, DC Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 
2525-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: (202) 720-2170, or Fax: 
(202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Marketing Agreement No. 146, Regulating the Quality of 
Domestically Produced Peanuts--7 CFR part 998.
    OMB Number: 0581-0067.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing agreement and 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. Such 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), the Agreement was 
established for handlers who voluntarily signed it. Signers agreed to 
have peanuts inspected, meet both incoming and outgoing quality 
regulations, be chemically tested and certified ``negative'' as to 
aflatoxin. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the 
Agreement's operations and consider issuing regulations recommended by 
a committee of producer and handler representatives from each of the 
three areas.
    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 
Peanut Marketing Agreement program, which has been operating since 
1965.
    The Agreement authorizes the issuance of quality regulations along 
with inspection requirements. The Agreement also provides authority for 
limited indemnification. The Agreement, and rules and regulations 
issued thereunder, authorize the Peanut Administrative Committee 
(Committee), which is responsible for locally administering the 
program, to require handlers and growers to submit certain information. 
Much of the 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 peanut supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to carry out the 
purpose of the AMAA and Agreement. USDA forms are used by peanut 
growers and handlers, who are nominated by their peers to serve as 
representatives on the Committee, to submit their qualifications to the 
Secretary. Other USDA forms are used by handlers to sign the Agreement.
    These forms require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the Agreement, and their use 
is necessary to fulfill the intent of the AMAA as expressed in the 
Agreement.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees, and the industry, which 
may be provided only aggregate (not confidential) information, 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 0.246 hours per response.
    Respondents: Peanut producers and for-profit businesses handling 
fresh and processed peanuts produced in the 16-state production area.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 29.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.19.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 126 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. 0581-0067 and the Peanut 
Marketing Agreement No. 146, and be sent to USDA in care of Jim 
Wendland at the address above. All comments received will be available 
for public inspection during regular business hours at the same 
address.
    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: July 24, 1997.
Ronald L. Cioffi,
Acting Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-20041 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P