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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36983-36984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15023]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-12-0021]

Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and Information Program; 
Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this document announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection National Processed Raspberry 
Promotion, Research, and Information Program.

DATES: Comments on this document must be received by August 20, 2012 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this information collection document. Comments should be submitted 
online at www.regulations.gov or sent to Promotion and Economics 
Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0244, Room 1406-
S, Washington, DC 20250-0244, or by facsimile to (202)

[[Page 36984]]

205-2800. All comments should reference the docket number, the date, 
and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments 
received will be posted without change, including any personal 
information provided, online at http://www.regulations.gov and will be 
made available for public inspection at the above physical address 
during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Betts at the above physical 
address, by telephone at (202) 720-9915, or by email at 
Marlene.Betts@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and 
Information Program.
    OMB Number: 0581-0258.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2012.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and 
Information program was created to help maintain, develop, and expand 
markets and uses for processed raspberries. The Processed Raspberry 
Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) (7 CFR part 1208) 
was established under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and 
Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425).
    The Order provides for the development and financing of a 
coordinated program of research, promotion, and information for 
processed raspberries. The programs may include projects relating to 
research, consumer information, advertising, sales promotion, producer 
information, market development, and product development to assist, 
improve or promote the marketing, distribution, and utilization of 
processed raspberries.
    The Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and Information program 
was approved in a referendum conducted by USDA between June 8 and June 
24, 2011, by persons to be covered by and assessed under the Order. In 
the referendum, 88 percent of those who voted favored implementation of 
the Order. Producers and importers of 20,000 or more pounds of 
raspberries for processing or processed raspberries respectively, 
during the calendar year January 1 through December 31, 2010, were 
eligible to vote in the referendum.
    The program is administered by an industry council appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture and financed by a mandatory assessment on 
producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed 
raspberries. The Secretary of Agriculture also approves the council's 
budgets, plans, and projects. These responsibilities have been 
delegated to AMS.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the 1996 Act. The objective in 
carrying out this responsibility includes assuring the following: (1) 
Funds are collected and properly accounted for; (2) expenditures of all 
funds are for the purposes authorized by the 1996 Act and Order; and, 
(3) the council's administration of the programs conforms to USDA 
policy.
    The Order's provisions have been carefully reviewed, and every 
effort has been made to minimize any unnecessary recordkeeping costs or 
requirements, including efforts to utilize information already 
submitted under other raspberry programs administered by the Department 
and other state programs.
    The forms covered under this collection require the minimum 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
program, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 1996 
Act. Such information can be supplied without data processing equipment 
or outside technical expertise. In addition, there are no additional 
training requirements for individuals filling out reports and remitting 
assessments to the Council. The forms are simple, easy to understand, 
and place as small a burden as possible on the person required to file 
the information.
    Collecting information yearly will coincide with normal industry 
business practices. The timing and frequency of collecting information 
are intended to meet the needs of the industry while minimizing the 
amount of work necessary to fill out the required reports. The 
requirement to keep records for two years is consistent with normal 
industry practices. In addition, the information to be included on 
these forms is not available from other sources because such 
information relates specifically to individual producers, first 
handlers, processors, foreign producers, and importers who are subject 
to the provisions of the 1996 Act. Therefore, there is no practical 
method for collecting the required information without the use of these 
forms.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which 
requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the 
option of submitting information or transacting business electronically 
to the maximum extent possible.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.36 hours per response.
    Respondents: Producers, first handlers, importers, foreign 
producers, and at-large nominees.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 297.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 788.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.65.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 282.
    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 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 document will be summarized and included in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: June 15, 2012.
Ruihong Guo,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-15023 Filed 6-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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