### 38913 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2013 / Notices

the Internet at http:// www.Regulations.Gov or to the Market News Division, Fruit & Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1529 South, Stop 0238, Washington, DC

20250–0238. Comments should make reference to the dates and page number

of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours or at http:// www.Regulations.Gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Terry C. Long, Director; Fruit and Vegetable Market News Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, (202) 720–2175, Fax: (202) 720–0011.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market

News.

OMB Number: 0581–0006. Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2013.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information

collection.

Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for fruit, vegetable and ornamental production and to facilitate trading by providing a price base used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to market product.

The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), section 203(g) directs and authorizes the

collection and dissemination of marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring about a balance between production and

utilization.

The fruit and vegetable industry provides information on a voluntary basis that is gathered through confidential telephone and face-to-face interviews by market reporters. Reporters request supply, demand, and price information of over 330 fresh fruit, vegetable, nut, ornamental, and other specialty crops. The information is collected, compiled, and disseminated by Market News in its critical role as an impartial third party. It is collected and reported in a manner which protects the confidentiality of the respondent and their operations.

The fruit and vegetable market news reports are used by academia and various government agencies for regulatory and other purposes, but are primarily used by the fruit, vegetable and ornamental trade, which includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, producers, and associated industries. Members of the fruit and vegetable industry regularly make it clear that they need and expect the Department of Agriculture to issue price and supply market reports for commodities of regional, national and international significance in order to assist in making immediate production and marketing decisions and as a guide to the amount of product in the supply channel. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service buys hundreds of millions of dollars of fruit and vegetable products each year for domestic feeding programs, and Market News data is a critical component of the decision making process.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .098 hours per

response.

Respondents: Fruit, vegetable and ornamental industry, or other for-profit
businesses, individuals or households,

farms.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

3,168.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 197.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 61,161 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.

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 24, 2013.

Rex A. Barnes,

Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–15562 Filed 6–27–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE** 

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–NOP–13–0051; NOP–13–02]**

**National Organic Program: Request for an Extension 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, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of the currently approved information collection National Organic Program (NOP) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.

**DATES :**  Comments received by August 27, 2013 will be considered.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons are

invited to submit written comments concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to Toni Strother, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, AMS/USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646– So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250–0268 or by Internet: http:// www.regulations.gov. Written comments responding to this notice should be

identified with the document number
AMS–NOP–13–0051; NOP–13–02. It is

USDA’s intention to have all comments concerning this notice, including names and addresses when provided, regardless of submission procedure used, available for viewing on the Regulations.gov (http:// www.regulations.gov ) Internet site. Comments submitted in response to this notice will also be available for viewing in person at USDA–AMS, National Organic Program, Room 2624–South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South Building to view comments received in response to this notice are requested to make an appointment in advance by calling (202)

720–3252.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Melissa Bailey, Ph.D., Director, Standards Division, National Organic Program, USDA–AMS, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646– So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: (202) 720–3252, Fax: (202) 205–7808.


### 38914 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2013 / Notices

1 AMS NOP 2012 List of certified organic operations. Available at: http://apps.ams.usda.gov/ nop/. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: National Organic Program.
OMB Number: 0581–0191. Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2013.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information

collection.

Abstract: The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501–6522) mandates that the Secretary develop the NOP to accredit eligible State program’s governing State officials or private persons as certifying agents who would certify producers or handlers of agricultural products that have been produced using organic methods as provided for in OFPA. The USDA organic regulation (7 CFR part 205): (1)

Established national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) assures consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) facilitates interstate commerce in fresh and processed food that is organically produced.

Reporting and recordkeeping are essential to the integrity of the organic certification system. They create a paper trail that is a critical element in carrying

out the mandate of OFPA and NOP. They serve the AMS mission, program objectives, and management needs by providing information on the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. The

information affects decisions because it is the basis for evaluating compliance with OFPA and NOP, for administering the program, for management decisions and planning, and for establishing the cost of the program. It supports administrative and regulatory actions in response to noncompliance with OFPA

and NOP.

In general, the information collected is used by USDA, State program governing State officials, and certifying agents. It is created and submitted by State and foreign program officials, peer review panel members, accredited certifying agents, organic inspectors, certified organic producers and handlers, those seeking accreditation or certification, and parties interested in changing the National List of Allowed

and Prohibited Substances at sections 205.600 through 205.607. Additionally,

it causes most of these entities to have procedures and space for recordkeeping.

USDA. USDA is the accrediting authority. USDA accredits domestic and foreign certifying agents who certify domestic and foreign organic producers and handlers, using information from the agents documenting their business operations and program expertise. USDA also permits States to establish their own organic certification programs after the programs are approved by the Secretary, using information from the States documenting their ability to operate such programs and showing that such programs meet the requirements of

OFPA and NOP.

States. States may operate their own organic certification programs. State officials obtain the Secretary’s approval of their programs by submitting information to USDA documenting their ability to operate such programs and showing that such programs meet the requirements of OFPA and NOP. The Secretary, or delegated representative, will review a State organic program not less than once during each 5-year period following the date of the initial program approval. To date, one State organic certification program is approved by

USDA.

Certifying agents. Certifying agents are State, private, or foreign entities who are accredited by USDA to certify domestic and foreign producers and handlers as organic in accordance with OFPA and NOP. Each entity wanting to be an agent seeks accreditation from USDA, submitting information documenting its business operations and program expertise. Accredited certifying agents determine if a producer or handler meets organic requirements, using detailed information from the operation documenting its specific practices and on-site inspection reports from organic inspectors. Currently, there are 84 certifying agents accredited under NOP.

Administrative costs for reporting, disclosure of information, and recordkeeping vary among certifying agents. Factors affecting costs include the number and size of clients, the categories of certification provided, and the type of systems maintained.

When an entity applies for accreditation as a certifying agent, it must provide a copy of its procedures for complying with recordkeeping requirements (§ 205.504(b)(3)). Once accredited, agents have to make their records available for inspection and copying by authorized representatives of the Secretary (§ 205.501(a)(9)). USDA charges certifying agents for the time required to do these document reviews. Audits require less time when the documents are well organized and centrally located.

Recordkeeping requirements for certifying agents are divided into three categories of records with varying retention periods: (1) Records created by certifying agents regarding applicants for certification and certified operations, maintain 10-years, consistent with OFPA’s requirement for maintaining all records concerning activities of certifying agents; (2) records obtained from applicants for certification and certified operations, maintain 5-years, the same as OFPA’s requirement for the retention of records by certified operations; and (3) records created or received by certifying agents regarding accreditation, maintain 5-years, consistent with OFPA’s requirement for renewal of agent’s accreditation (§ 205.510(b)).

Organic inspectors. Inspectors, onbehalf of certifying agents, conduct onsite inspections of certified operations and operations applying for certification. They report the findings from their inspection to the certifying agent. Inspectors are the agents themselves, employees of the agents, or

individual contractors. We estimate that about half are certifying agents or their employees and half are individual contractors. Individuals who apply for positions as inspectors submit to the agents information documenting their qualifications to conduct such inspections. According to International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA), there are 235 inspectors currently providing services.

Producers and handlers. Producers and handlers, domestic and foreign, apply to certifying agents for organic certification, submit detailed information documenting their specific practices, provide annual updates to continue their certification, and report changes in their practices. Producers include farmers, livestock and poultry producers, and wild crop harvesters. Handlers include those who transport or transform food and include millers, bulk distributors, food manufacturers, processors, or packers. Some handlers are part of a retail operation that processes organic products in a location other than the premises of the retail outlet. Based upon AMS NOP’s 2012 List of certified organic operations, there are approximately 25,000 certified operations globally. 1 Based on past growth of the industry, AMS estimates

the addition of 350 new certified organic operations a year. In addition, AMS estimates that there are 6,200 producers exempt from certification, but

who must still maintain records pursuant to section 205.101(c).

Administrative costs for reporting and recordkeeping vary among certified operators. Factors affecting costs include the type and size of operation, and the type of systems maintained.


### 38915 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2013 / Notices

AMS believes that operations using product labels containing the term ‘‘organic’’ handle an average of 20 labels annually. Based upon AMS NOP’s 2012 List of certified organic operations, there are over 10,800 certified organic handlers. For each certified handler, AMS estimates that the average annual burden to develop product labels with organic claims is one hour per product label times 20 product labels per

handler. The annual burden will be lower for smaller operations and higher for large operations that produce a significant volume of organic processed product.

Interested parties. Any interested party may petition the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) for the purpose of having a substance evaluated for recommendation to the Secretary for

inclusion on or deletion from the

National List. Based on the number of petitions received in the past, AMS estimates 25 parties petitioning the

NOSB to amend the National List in a given year. The annual burden for each interested party to prepare a complete petition is an average of 30 hours.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.61 hours per

response.

Respondents: Producers, handlers, certifying agents, inspectors and State, Local or Tribal governments and interested parties.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

31,825.

Estimated Number of Responses:

838,519.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 26.35.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,347,141.

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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

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.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522. Dated: June 25, 2013.

Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–15626 Filed 6–27–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Rural Utilities Service**

**Notice of Available Funding and Grant Application Deadlines** 

**AGENCY :**  Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of Funding Availability.

**SUMMARY :**  The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the availability of $17,531,000 in grant funds and solicitation of applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 competition.

**DATES :**  You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically per the following

deadlines:

• Paper submissions: Paper submissions must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than August 12, 2013 to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding.

• Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions must be received by August 12, 2013 to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding.

**ADDRESSES :**  Copies of the FY 2013 Application Guides and materials for the DLT grant program may be obtained at the following sources:

(1) The DLT Web site: http:// www.rurdev.usda.gov/

UTP

_DLTResources.html and (2) You may also request application guides and materials from RUS by contacting the DLT Program at 202–

720–0665.

Completed applications may be submitted in the following ways:

(1) Paper: Paper applications are to be submitted to the Rural Utilities Service, Telecommunications Program, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250– 1550. Applications should be marked ‘‘Attention: Acting Director, Advanced

Services Division.’’

(2) Electronic: Electronic applications may be submitted through Grants.gov.

Information on how to submit applications electronically is available on the Grants.gov Web site (http://
www.grants.gov ). Applicants must successfully pre-register with Grants.gov to use the electronic applications option. Application information may be downloaded from Grants.gov without preregistration.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Norberto Esteves, Acting Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications Programs, Rural

Utilities Service. Email: norberto.esteves@wdc.usda.gov. Telephone: 202–720–0665, fax: 202–

720–1051.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Overview

Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Funding Opportunity Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants.

Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.855.

Dates: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically according to the following

deadlines:

• Paper submissions must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than August 12, 2013 to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications are not eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Electronic copies must be received by August 12, 2013 to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications are not eligible for FY 2013 grant funding.

Items in Supplementary Information

I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the DLT program. II. Minimum and Maximum Application Amounts: Projected Available Funding. III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, and what kinds of projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility. IV. SUTA: The applicant needs to notify RUS that it is seeking consideration under the
7 CFR 1700, Substantially Underserved

Trust Areas (the SUTA regulation) and identifies the discretionary authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture described in the SUTA regulation that it seeks to have applied to its application. V. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where to submit applications, deadlines, and items that are eligible. VI. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, and selection

information.

VII. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, award recipient and reporting requirements.