78 FR 77 pgs. 23736-23737 - Notice of Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden
Type: NOTICEVolume: 78Number: 77Pages: 23736 - 23737
Docket number: [Doc. No. AMS-FV-13-0014; FV13-033-1NC.]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2013-09380 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
Agency: Agriculture Department
Sub Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-13-0014; FV13-033-1NC.]
Notice of Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden
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 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 are due by June 21, 2013 to be assured of consideration.
Additional Information: Contact Andrew Hatch, Chief, Program Services Branch, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 720-6862 or Email: andrew.hatch@ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may request information on this notice by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 690-3919 or Email: jeffrey.smutny@ams.usda.gov.
Comments: Comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register , and be mailed to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or submitted through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
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: December 31, 2013.
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. Plum provision was terminated in 1991. 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 33.11 for apples, and 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 82 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 .14 hours per response.
Recordkeepers: Apple and grape exporters and carriers.
Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 102.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 26 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 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. All comments received will be available for public inspection at the street address in the "Comment" section and can be viewed at: www.regulations.gov.
Dated: April 16, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09380 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P