81 FR 66620 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 188 (September 28, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66620-66621]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23319]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
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statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 28, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 66620]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 22, 2016.
    The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information 
collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date 
of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding (1) 
whether the 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 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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their 
comments to OMB via email to: [email protected] or fax (202) 
395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 
7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602.
    Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received by October 28, 2016. Copies of 
the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: AMS Grant Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0240.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
recently consolidated its grant programs into one Grants Division. Due 
to this organization merger, AMS is merging its other three grant 
collections, 0581-0235 ``Farmers' Market Promotion Program,'' (FMPP); 
0581-0248 ``Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)--Farm Bill,'' 
0581-0287 ``Local Food Promotion Program,'' (LFPP); and a new program 
``Specialty Crop Multi-state Program,'' into the renewal of 0581-0240 
``The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.'' (FSMIP) This 
revised collection will be retitled 0581-0240 ``AMS Grant Programs.'' 
All the grant programs are authorized pursuant to the Agricultural 
Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, et. seq.) and the Farmer-
to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3001) are 
implemented through the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Super Circular) 
(2 CFR 200).
    Need and Use of the Information: The grants authorized by the FMPP 
are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers' markets, 
roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism 
activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing 
opportunities. Grants authorized under LFPP support the development and 
expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase 
domestic consumption of, and access to locally and regionally produced 
agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm 
and ranch operations serving local markets. The SCBGP works to increase 
the competitiveness of specialty crops. The SCMP competitively award 
funds to State departments of agriculture to solely enhance the 
competitiveness of specialty crops by funding collaborative, multi-
state projects that address regional or national level specialty crop 
issues. FSMIP provides matching funds on a competitive basis to assist 
eligible entities in exploring new market opportunities and to 
encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and 
performance of the marketing system. The information collection 
requirements in this request are needed to implement the grant 
programs. The information will be used by AMS to establish the entity's 
eligibility for participation, the suitability of the budget for the 
proposed project, and compliance with applicable Federal regulations.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,866.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 51,820.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Specialty Crops Market News Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0006.
    Summary of Collection: Section 203(g) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621) directs and authorizes the collection of 
information and disseminating 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 bring about balance between production 
and utilization of agriculture products. Market News provides all 
interested segments of the market chain with market information tends 
to equalize the competitive position of all market participants. The 
fruit and vegetable industries, through their organizations, or 
government agencies present formal requests that the Department of 
Agriculture issue daily, weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly market news 
reports on various aspects of the industry.
    This renewal submission reflects a name change to the Program. A 
notice to trade was posted September 16, 2015, indicating the Program 
name be changed from Fruit and Vegetable Program to Specialty Crops 
Program.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect market 
information on

[[Page 66621]]

some 411 specialty crops for prices and supply. The production of 
Market News reports that are then available to the industry and other 
interested parties in various formats. Information is provided on a 
voluntary basis and collected in person through face-to-face interviews 
and by confidential telephone throughout the country by market 
reporters. The absence of these data would deny primary and secondary 
users information that otherwise would be available to aid them in 
their production, marketing decisions, analyses, research and knowledge 
of current market conditions. The omission of these data could 
adversely affect prices, supply, and demand.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,359.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Daily; Weekly; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 84,155.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under Regulations 
(Other than Rules of Practice) Under the Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act, 1930.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0031.
    Summary of Collection: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(PACA) (7 U.S.C. 499a-499t) and 7 CFR part 46, establishes a code of 
fair trading practices covering the marketing of fresh and frozen 
fruits and vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce. It protects 
growers, shippers and distributors by prohibiting unfair practices. 
PACA requires nearly all persons who operate as commission merchants, 
dealers and brokers buying or selling fruit and or vegetables in 
interstate or foreign commerce to be licensed. The license for 
retailers and grocery wholesalers is effective for three years and for 
all other licensees up to three years, unless withdrawn.
    Need and Use of the Information: Using various forms and business 
records, AMS will collect information from the applicant to administer 
licensing provisions under the Act, to adjudicate contract disputes, 
and for the purpose of enforcing the PACA and its regulations. If this 
information were unavailable, it would be impossible to identify and 
regulate the individuals or firms that are restricted due to sanctions 
imposed because of the reparation or administrative actions.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 13,543.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 87,406.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-23319 Filed 9-27-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P