Request for Information Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative, 77257-77258 [2023-24715]

Download as PDF 77257 Notices Federal Register Vol. 88, No. 216 Thursday, November 9, 2023 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, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–SC–23–0073] Request for Information Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (USDA). ACTION: Request for information. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input from stakeholders across the specialty crops industry on how USDA may better administratively support the industry in remaining competitive in domestic and international marketplaces, as part of USDA’s Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative. This input will strengthen USDA’s partnership with the specialty crops industry, an agricultural sector that has faced significant challenges due to recent natural disasters, pandemic-related market disruptions, and other factors. USDA requests input on how to further support the industry’s domestic marketing and consumption, to further support the industry’s competitiveness internationally, to further support research that will serve the industry, to increase producers’ awareness of and access to relevant USDA programs, to enhance USDA programs that serve the specialty crops industry, to aid the evaluation of existing programs, and to understand current and future challenges faced by the industry. USDA is asking for comments on interactions with USDA programs. All comments will be aggregated, summarized, and shared with USDA Leadership. DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2024 to be assured of consideration. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Nov 08, 2023 Jkt 262001 this notice by either of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID AMS–SC–23–0073. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. • Email: Please submit any email responses to SCCIPartners@usda.gov in the body of an email or as a Word or PDF attachment. Include ‘‘SCCI RFI’’ in the subject line of the email. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record, will be made available to the public, and can be viewed at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made available to the public on the internet at the address provided above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather M. Pichelman, Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Program, Email: heather.pichelman@ usda.gov or Telephone: (202) 720–4722. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA has heard growing concern from the specialty crops industry regarding their ability to remain competitive. Although the specialty crops industry includes a wide array of commodities, the challenges facing their markets are similar. USDA is actively partnering with specialty crops growers to increase the competitiveness of U.S. products in domestic and international markets, minimize costs, manage pests and diseases, strengthen supply chains, and support climate outcomes. In direct response to the industry’s request for support, USDA launched the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI). The goal of SCCI is to provide increased support to the specialty crops industry by identifying industry needs and taking appropriate available administrative action. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of the SCCI initiative, to provide stakeholders the opportunity to submit feedback on the industry’s needs and to provide information on how USDA can better administratively support the U.S. specialty crops industry to remain competitive. The SCCI is just one of multiple efforts across the Federal government to support the industry. On October 17, PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2023, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register, the ‘‘Notice of Establishment and Request for Nominations for the Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee’’ (88 FR 71638). This Committee, established by USTR and USDA, intends to provide advice and recommendations in connection with U.S. trade policy that concern administrative actions and legislation that would promote the competitiveness of Southeastern U.S. producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products. Whereas this Committee will be focused on a specific geographic U.S. region and on seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables, the SCCI will have a nationwide focus on the needs of all specialty crops stakeholders to remain competitive in both domestic and international markets under USDA’s purview. Interested persons can refer to the new USDA web page at https:// www.usda.gov/specialty.crops, which contains a comprehensive snapshot of USDA’s resources and services relevant to specialty crops producers and businesses. The focus of this request is to collect feedback on existing USDA programs and how they might be improved, not on new programs that require legislative action to implement. Upon collection of feedback from the industry through this RFI and stakeholder meetings and events, a gap analysis will be conducted to address where USDA services can be enhanced to better support the specialty crops industry. Outcomes of the feedback will be communicated back to the specialty crops industry to continue to build awareness of USDA’s support for the industry. USDA is seeking feedback on all its services for the industry. Respondents may provide information for one or more of the questions or topics listed below, as desired. Additionally, respondents may provide commodityspecific or geographic-specific input on Department services for specialty crops. How can USDA administratively support specialty crop producers to enhance domestic marketing and increase consumption of domestically grown specialty crops? How can USDA administratively support specialty crop producers to improve their export performance to E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM 09NON1 77258 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 216 / Thursday, November 9, 2023 / Notices increase competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign markets? What research is needed to minimize costs and maximize returns to support the production and processing of specialty crops? What kind of research (spanning production, transportation, handling, or beyond) could USDA enhance or adapt to support the specialty crop industry? How could existing USDA specialty crops farm programs be adapted to address current and future challenges faced by the specialty crops industry? How could USDA increase awareness of available tools and resources to support broader participation and engagement by the specialty crops industry? How could USDA enhance or adapt currently offered programs (loans, grants, nutrition programs, conservation programs, insurance programs, food safety programs, pest management programs, etc.) to support the specialty crops industry to increase its competitiveness? How could USDA enhance or adapt procurement to support the specialty crops industry? Please share any ongoing or anticipated challenges in the specialty crops industry that impact your ability to maintain competitiveness. Please share any non-financial resources that would be useful to improve the specialty crop industry’s competitiveness. Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2023–24715 Filed 11–8–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments are requested regarding: 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; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Nov 08, 2023 Jkt 262001 respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments regarding this information collection received by December 11, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. 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. Rural Housing Service Title: Rural Rental Housing Program, 7 CFR part 3560. OMB Control Number: 0575–0189. Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service is revising this information collection to include a new form. The new form titled ‘‘Replacement Reserve Intercreditor Agreement’’ (ICA) is a supplement to the existing section 515 Subordination Agreement. The ICA form will be used between the section 515 RRH Borrower/Owner and the section 538 Lender to establish control and guidance on how the Reserve Account will be handled in a joint transaction. The ICA will add an additional 24 responses and 4 hours to the collection’s total burden. Need and Use of the Information: Information is completed by developers and potential borrowers seeking approval of rural rental housing loans with the assistance of professionals such as attorneys, architects, and contractors and the operation and management of the MFH properties in an affordable decent, safe and sanitary manner. The forms and information provide the basis for making determinations of eligibility and the need and feasibility of the proposed housing. The information provides the basis for determining that rents charged are appropriate, the housing is wellmaintained, and proper priority is given to those tenants eligible for occupancy. Information is collected to assure compliance with the terms and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 conditions of loan, grant and/or subsidy agreements. Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit institutions. Number of Respondents: 589,500. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On Occasion, Annually. Total Burden Hours: 1,072,246. Levi S. Harrell, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2023–24792 Filed 11–8–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Reinstatement The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and reinstatement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments are requested regarding: 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; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by December 11, 2023. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. 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 E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM 09NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77257-77258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24715]


========================================================================
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, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 216 / Thursday, November 9, 2023 / 
Notices

[[Page 77257]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-23-0073]


Request for Information Specialty Crops Competitiveness 
Initiative

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
(USDA).

ACTION: Request for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input 
from stakeholders across the specialty crops industry on how USDA may 
better administratively support the industry in remaining competitive 
in domestic and international marketplaces, as part of USDA's Specialty 
Crops Competitiveness Initiative. This input will strengthen USDA's 
partnership with the specialty crops industry, an agricultural sector 
that has faced significant challenges due to recent natural disasters, 
pandemic-related market disruptions, and other factors. USDA requests 
input on how to further support the industry's domestic marketing and 
consumption, to further support the industry's competitiveness 
internationally, to further support research that will serve the 
industry, to increase producers' awareness of and access to relevant 
USDA programs, to enhance USDA programs that serve the specialty crops 
industry, to aid the evaluation of existing programs, and to understand 
current and future challenges faced by the industry. USDA is asking for 
comments on interactions with USDA programs. All comments will be 
aggregated, summarized, and shared with USDA Leadership.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2024 to be assured of 
consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by either of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID AMS-SC-23-0073. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Comments should reference the 
document number and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register.
     Email: Please submit any email responses to 
[email protected] in the body of an email or as a Word or PDF 
attachment. Include ``SCCI RFI'' in the subject line of the email.
    All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included 
in the record, will be made available to the public, and can be viewed 
at: https://www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the identity of 
the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made 
available to the public on the internet at the address provided above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather M. Pichelman, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Program, Email: 
[email protected] or Telephone: (202) 720-4722.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA has heard growing concern from the 
specialty crops industry regarding their ability to remain competitive. 
Although the specialty crops industry includes a wide array of 
commodities, the challenges facing their markets are similar. USDA is 
actively partnering with specialty crops growers to increase the 
competitiveness of U.S. products in domestic and international markets, 
minimize costs, manage pests and diseases, strengthen supply chains, 
and support climate outcomes.
    In direct response to the industry's request for support, USDA 
launched the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI). The 
goal of SCCI is to provide increased support to the specialty crops 
industry by identifying industry needs and taking appropriate available 
administrative action.
    This Request for Information (RFI) is part of the SCCI initiative, 
to provide stakeholders the opportunity to submit feedback on the 
industry's needs and to provide information on how USDA can better 
administratively support the U.S. specialty crops industry to remain 
competitive.
    The SCCI is just one of multiple efforts across the Federal 
government to support the industry. On October 17, 2023, the United 
States Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register, 
the ``Notice of Establishment and Request for Nominations for the 
Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee'' (88 
FR 71638). This Committee, established by USTR and USDA, intends to 
provide advice and recommendations in connection with U.S. trade policy 
that concern administrative actions and legislation that would promote 
the competitiveness of Southeastern U.S. producers of seasonal and 
perishable agricultural products. Whereas this Committee will be 
focused on a specific geographic U.S. region and on seasonal and 
perishable fruits and vegetables, the SCCI will have a nationwide focus 
on the needs of all specialty crops stakeholders to remain competitive 
in both domestic and international markets under USDA's purview.
    Interested persons can refer to the new USDA web page at https://www.usda.gov/specialty.crops, which contains a comprehensive snapshot 
of USDA's resources and services relevant to specialty crops producers 
and businesses. The focus of this request is to collect feedback on 
existing USDA programs and how they might be improved, not on new 
programs that require legislative action to implement.
    Upon collection of feedback from the industry through this RFI and 
stakeholder meetings and events, a gap analysis will be conducted to 
address where USDA services can be enhanced to better support the 
specialty crops industry. Outcomes of the feedback will be communicated 
back to the specialty crops industry to continue to build awareness of 
USDA's support for the industry.
    USDA is seeking feedback on all its services for the industry. 
Respondents may provide information for one or more of the questions or 
topics listed below, as desired. Additionally, respondents may provide 
commodity-specific or geographic-specific input on Department services 
for specialty crops.
    How can USDA administratively support specialty crop producers to 
enhance domestic marketing and increase consumption of domestically 
grown specialty crops?
    How can USDA administratively support specialty crop producers to 
improve their export performance to

[[Page 77258]]

increase competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign markets?
    What research is needed to minimize costs and maximize returns to 
support the production and processing of specialty crops? What kind of 
research (spanning production, transportation, handling, or beyond) 
could USDA enhance or adapt to support the specialty crop industry?
    How could existing USDA specialty crops farm programs be adapted to 
address current and future challenges faced by the specialty crops 
industry?
    How could USDA increase awareness of available tools and resources 
to support broader participation and engagement by the specialty crops 
industry?
    How could USDA enhance or adapt currently offered programs (loans, 
grants, nutrition programs, conservation programs, insurance programs, 
food safety programs, pest management programs, etc.) to support the 
specialty crops industry to increase its competitiveness?
    How could USDA enhance or adapt procurement to support the 
specialty crops industry?
    Please share any ongoing or anticipated challenges in the specialty 
crops industry that impact your ability to maintain competitiveness.
    Please share any non-financial resources that would be useful to 
improve the specialty crop industry's competitiveness.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-24715 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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