SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Organic Handler Market Promotion Assessment Exemption under Federal Marketing Orders.

OMB Number: 0581-0216.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2027.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674) (the Act), to provide respondents the type of service they request and to administer several Federal marketing orders. Marketing order regulations help ensure adequate supplies of high-quality product and adequate returns to producers. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee marketing order operations and issue regulations recommended by a board or committee of representatives from each commodity industry.

The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the marketing order programs. Under the Act, marketing orders may authorize: production and marketing research, including paid advertising; volume regulation; reserves, including pools and producer allotments; container requirements; and quality control. Assessments are levied on handlers regulated under the marketing orders.

On May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (7 U.S.C. 7901) amended the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7201), exempting any person who handles or markets solely 100 percent organic products from paying these assessments with respect to any agricultural commodity that is produced on a certified organic farm, as defined in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502). A certified organic handler can apply for this exemption by completing a “Certified Organic Handler Application for Exemption from Market Promotion Assessments Paid Under Federal Marketing Orders,” and submitting it to the applicable marketing order board or committee.

Section 900.700 (7 CFR part 900) provides for exemption from assessments. This notice applies to the following marketing orders: 7 CFR parts 906 (Texas citrus), 915 (Florida avocados), 923 (Washington cherries), 925 (California desert grapes), 927 (Oregon/Washington Pears), 930 (Tart cherries grown in seven states), 932 (California olives), 948 (Colorado potatoes), 955 (Vidalia onions), 956 (Walla Walla onions), 958 (Idaho/Oregon onions), 959 (South Texas onions), 966 (Florida tomatoes), 981 (California almonds), 982 (Oregon/Washington hazelnuts), 984 (California walnuts); 985 (Northwest spearmint oil), 986 (Pecans grown in 15 states), 987 (California dates), 989 (California raisins), and 993 (California dried prunes). Currently, handling requirements for Marketing Order 993 (California dried prunes) are suspended at the industry's request until July 30, 2030 (89 FR 13587). While its reporting requirements are suspended and currently inactive, it is included in this renewal period of this information collection package until the industry decides whether to proceed with marketing order termination in 2030.

The information collected is used only by authorized representatives of the USDA, including the AMS Specialty Crops Program's regional and headquarters' staff, and authorized employees of the boards or committees. Authorized board or committee employees 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 0.25 hours per response.

Respondents: Eligible certified organic handlers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.

Estimated Total of Annual Responses: 210.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. ( printed page 69524)

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 52.5 hours.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 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.

91 FR 69523