Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting, 19046-19047 [2014-07703]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 19046 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Notices The Order’s provisions have been carefully reviewed, and every effort has been made to minimize any unnecessary recordkeeping costs or requirements, including efforts to utilize information already submitted under other Christmas tree programs administered by USDA and other State programs. The forms covered under this collection require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the program, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Order. Such information can be supplied without data processing equipment or outside technical expertise. In addition, there are no additional training requirements for individuals filling out reports and remitting assessments to the Board. The forms are simple, easy to understand, and place as small a burden as possible on the person required to file the information. Collecting information yearly would coincide with normal industry business practices. The timing and frequency of collecting information are intended to meet the needs of the industry while minimizing the amount of work necessary to fill out the required reports. The requirement to keep records for two years beyond the fiscal period of their applicability is consistent with normal industry practices. In addition, the information to be included on these forms is not available from other sources because such information relates specifically to individual producers and importers who will be subject to the provisions of the Order. Therefore, there is no practical method for collecting the required information without the use of these forms. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. In addition to the information collection Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Program (Order) (OMB No. 0581–0268), we are including the burden and ballot form from the previously approved information collection Referendum for Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Program (OMB No. 0581–0267). Upon reinstatement of these previously approved collection for which approval has expired, we will submit a discontinuation request for the 0581–0267 to OMB. Estimate of Burden: Public recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.398 hour per response. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Apr 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 Respondents: Producers and importers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,455. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 26,885. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.16. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,701 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 document will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Authority: 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Dated: April 2, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–07706 Filed 4–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Document No. AMS–ST–14–0034] Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: This notice is intended to notify the public of their opportunity to attend an open meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board. DATES: May 13, 2014 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., open to the public. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the United States Department of Agriculture, Room 2068, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maria Pratt, Plant Variety Protection Office, Science and Technology SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone number (202) 260–8983, fax (202) 260– 8976, or email: maria.pratt@ ams.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the provisions of section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), this notice is given regarding an upcoming Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Board meeting. The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, shrubs, and vines. The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327). The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the PVP Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ‘‘Public Interest in Wide Usage’’ (7 U.S.C. 2404). The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the electronic PVP (ePVP) system development, meetings with the European Union (EU) on mutual recognition of the PVP examination process, the activity of the subcommittee to evaluate molecular techniques for PVP distinctness characterization, and the PVP Office outreach efforts. The proposed agenda for the PVP Board meeting will include a welcome by Department officials followed by a discussion focusing on program activities that encourage the development of new plant varieties and appeals to the Secretary. The agenda will also include presentations on the ePVP system, summary of EU meetings, and the use of molecular markers for PVP applications, and PVP outreach activity. The meeting will be open to the public. Those wishing to attend or phone into the meeting are encouraged to pre-register by May 5, 2014 with the E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Notices person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If you require accommodations, such as sign language interpreter, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Minutes of the meeting will be available for public review 30 days following the meeting at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The minutes will also be posted on the Internet Web site https:// www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO. Dated: April 2, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2014–07703 Filed 4–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation [Docket No. FCIC–14–0003] Notice of Request for Renewal and Revision of the Currently Approved Information Collection Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA ACTION: Renewal and Revision of the Currently Approved Information Collection. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces a public comment period on the information collection requests (ICRs) associated with the Standard Reinsurance Agreement and Appendices I, II and IV administered by Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). Appendix III is excluded because it contains the Data Acceptance System requirements. DATES: Written comments on this notice will be accepted until close of business June 6, 2014. ADDRESSES: FCIC prefers that comments be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. You may submit comments, identified by Docket ID No. FCIC–14–0003, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • By Mail to: David L. Miller, Director, Reinsurance Services Division, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0801, Washington, DC 20250. All comments received, including those received by mail, will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Apr 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 provided, and can be accessed by the public. All comments must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rule. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information, see https:// www.regulations.gov. If you are submitting comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal and want to attach a document, we ask that it be in a text-based format. If you want to attach a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, it must be scanned as text and not as an image, thus allowing FCIC to search and copy certain portions of your submissions. For questions regarding attaching a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, please contact the RMA Web Content Team at (816) 823–4694 or by email at rmaweb.content@rma.usda.gov. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received for any dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the complete User Notice and Privacy Notice for Regulations.gov at https:// www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Miller, Director, Risk Management Agency, at the address listed above, telephone (202) 720–9830. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Standard Reinsurance Agreement; Appendices I, II and IV. OMB Number: 0563–0069. Type of Request: Renewal of current Information Collection. Abstract: The Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act), Title 7 U.S.C. Chapter 36, Section 1508(k), authorizes the FCIC to provide reinsurance to insurers approved by FCIC that insure producers of any agricultural commodity under one or more plans acceptable to FCIC. The Act also states that the reinsurance shall be provided on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine to be consistent with subsections (b) and (c) of this section and sound reinsurance principles. FCIC executes the same form of reinsurance agreement, called the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA), with nineteen participating insurers approved for the 2014 reinsurance year. Appendix I of the SRA, Regulatory Duties and Responsibilities, sets forth the company’s responsibilities as required by statute. Appendix II of the SRA, the Plan of Operations (Plan), sets forth the information the insurer is required to file with RMA for each reinsurance year they wish to PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19047 participate. The Plan’s information enables RMA to evaluate the insurer’s financial and operational capability to deliver the crop insurance program in accordance with the Act. Estimated premiums by fund by state, and retained percentages along with current policyholders surplus are used in calculations to determine whether to approve the insurer’s requested maximum reinsurable premium volume for the reinsurance year per 7 CFR 400 Subpart L. This information has a direct effect upon the insurer’s amount of retained premium and associated liability and is required to calculate the insurer’s underwriting gain or loss. Appendix IV of the SRA, Quality Control and Program Integrity, establishes the minimum annual agent and loss adjuster training requirements, and quality control review procedures and performance standards required of the insurance companies. FCIC requires each insurer to submit, for each reinsurance year, a Quality Control Report to FCIC containing details of the results of their completed reviews. The insurance companies must also provide an annual Training and Performance Evaluation Report which details the evaluation of each agent and loss adjuster and reports of any remedial actions taken by the Company to correct any error or omission or ensure compliance with the SRA. The submission of these reports is included in Appendix II. FCIC is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the approval of this information collection for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public concerning the continuation of the current information collection activity as associated with the SRA in effect for the 2014 and subsequent reinsurance years. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the current collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the current collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19046-19047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07703]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document No. AMS-ST-14-0034]


Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice is intended to notify the public of their 
opportunity to attend an open meeting of the Plant Variety Protection 
Board.

DATES: May 13, 2014 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., open to the public.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the United States Department of 
Agriculture, Room 2068, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maria Pratt, Plant Variety 
Protection Office, Science and Technology Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone number (202) 
260-8983, fax (202) 260-8976, or email: maria.pratt@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the provisions of section 10(a) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), this 
notice is given regarding an upcoming Plant Variety Protection (PVP) 
Board meeting. The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 U.S.C. 2321 
et seq.) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property 
rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced 
sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant 
Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an 
examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, 
genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term 
of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, 
shrubs, and vines. The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 
U.S.C. 2327). The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary 
concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the 
proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory counsel to the 
Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the PVP 
Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory 
licenses; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the 
Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 
of the Act, ``Public Interest in Wide Usage'' (7 U.S.C. 2404).
    The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the electronic PVP 
(ePVP) system development, meetings with the European Union (EU) on 
mutual recognition of the PVP examination process, the activity of the 
subcommittee to evaluate molecular techniques for PVP distinctness 
characterization, and the PVP Office outreach efforts. The proposed 
agenda for the PVP Board meeting will include a welcome by Department 
officials followed by a discussion focusing on program activities that 
encourage the development of new plant varieties and appeals to the 
Secretary. The agenda will also include presentations on the ePVP 
system, summary of EU meetings, and the use of molecular markers for 
PVP applications, and PVP outreach activity.
    The meeting will be open to the public. Those wishing to attend or 
phone into the meeting are encouraged to pre-register by May 5, 2014 
with the

[[Page 19047]]

person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If you require 
accommodations, such as sign language interpreter, please contact the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Minutes of the 
meeting will be available for public review 30 days following the 
meeting at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 
The minutes will also be posted on the Internet Web site https://www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO.

    Dated: April 2, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-07703 Filed 4-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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