Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

Limes Grown in Florida

Title: Limes Grown in Florida, Marketing Order No. 911. OMB Number: 0581-0091. Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1997. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Avocados Grown in South Florida

Title: Avocados Grown in South Florida, Marketing Order No. 915. OMB Number: 0581-0078. Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1997. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems that cannot be solved individually. The marketing orders' regulations help ensure adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into marketing order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee the marketing order operations and issue regulations recommended by a 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 Florida lime and avocado marketing order programs, which have been operating since 1955 and 1954, respectively. The lime order authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, container, pack, and flow-to-market regulations. The avocado order authorizes the issuance of grade, size, quality, maturity, container, and pack regulations. Both orders authorize production research, and market research and development. Regulatory provisions apply to limes and avocados shipped both within and out of the production area to any market, except those specifically exempt. The orders, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize the Florida Lime Administrative Committee and the Avocado Administrative Committee as the agencies responsible for local administration of the orders. The orders require handlers and producers to submit certain information. Much of this information is compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in marketing decisions. The committees have developed forms as a means for persons to file required information with the committees relating to lime and avocado supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and the marketing order programs. Florida limes and avocados are shipped throughout the year, and these forms are utilized accordingly. A Department form is used to allow producers to vote on amendments to or continuance of the marketing orders. In addition, lime and avocado producers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the committees must file nomination forms with the Secretary. Formal rulemaking amendments to the orders must be approved in referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation of the orders. Such referenda ballots are included in this request. These forms require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the orders, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act as expressed in the orders. The information collected is used only by authorized representatives of the Department, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Division regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of the respective committees. AMS is the primary user of the information and authorized committee employees are the secondary users.

Limes Grown in Florida

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.13 hours per response. Respondents: Lime producers and for-profit businesses handling fresh limes produced in Florida. Estimated Number of Respondents: 55. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 14.1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 101 hours.

Avocados Grown in South Florida

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.11 hours per response.

Respondents: Avocado producers and for-profit businesses handling fresh avocados produced in Florida. Estimated Number of Respondents: 208. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.48. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 103 hours. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the marketing orders and the Department's oversight of those programs, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the AMS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 collections techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should reference either or both the OMB No. 0581-0091 (the Florida Lime Marketing Order No. 911), and OMB No. 0581-0078 (the Florida Avocado Marketing Order No. 915), and be sent to USDA in the care of Caroline C. Thorpe or Aleck J. Jonas at the addresses above. 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.

Dated: September 3, 1996. Robert C. Keeney, Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division. [FR Doc. 96-23017 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P