Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market News. OMB Number: 0581-0006. Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1996. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approve information collection. Abstract: Collection and dissemination of information for fruit, vegetable and ornamental production and to facilitate trading by providing a price base used by producers, wholesalers, and retailers to market products. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621), section 203(g) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination of marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a market area basic, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring about a balance between production and utilization. The fruit and vegetable market news reports are used by academia, but are primarily used by the fruit, vegetable and ornamental trade, which includes packers, processors, brokers, retailers, and producers. The fruit and vegetable industry requested that the Department of Agricultural issue price and supply market reports for commodities of regional, national and international significance in order to assist them in making immediate production and marketing decisions and as a guide to the amount of product in the supply channel. Many government agencies use the reports to make their market outlook projections. Data from these reports is included in the information forwarded to the Secretary's Office as well as his staff, as needed, to keep them appraised of the current market conditions and movement of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental commodities in the United States. Economists at most major agricultural colleges and universities use the reports to make both short and long term market projections. The data is used extensively by consulting firms and private economists to aid them in determining available supplies and current pricing. The industry could not collect the information themselves as they would not want to divulge their information to competitors, and exchange of such information between competitors would violate antitrust laws. Consequently, the information must be collected, compiled, and disseminated by an impartial third party, in a manner which protects the confidentiality of the reporter. Also, since the Government is a purchaser of fruits and vegetables, a system to monitor the collection and reporting of data is needed. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .033 hours per response. Respondents: Fruit, Vegetable and ornamental industry, or other for-profit businesses, individuals or households, farms, or Federal Government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,633. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondents: 200. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 122,978 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Terry C. Long, Chief Fruit and Vegetable Market News Branch, at (202) 720-2745. Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information, to: Terry C. Long, Chief, Fruit and Vegetable Market News Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS-USDA, Room 2503 South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. 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, and will be made available at the address above, during regular business hours.

Dated: September 9, 1996. Robert C. Keeney, Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division. [FR Doc. 96-23457 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-M