Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, 21483-21484 [2024-06493]

Download as PDF 21483 Notices Federal Register Vol. 89, No. 61 Thursday, March 28, 2024 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–24–0009] Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intent to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, pursuant to Federal Marketing Order No. 983. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2024 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this notice to the Docket Clerk, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or online at https:// www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of 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: Thomas Nalepa, Marketing Specialist, and Matthew Pavone, Chief, Rulemaking Services Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:27 Mar 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 Washington, DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720–8085; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Email: thomas.nalepa@ usda.gov and matthew.pavone@ usda.gov. Small businesses may request information on this notice by contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Telephone (202) 720– 8085; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Email: Richard.Lower@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, Marketing Order No. 983. OMB Number: 0581–0215. Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2024. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act,’’ authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue marketing orders that regulate the handling of any agricultural commodity specified in the Act, and to consider recommendations submitted by the administrative committees that manage the operations of such marketing orders. The individuals serving on an administrative committee are nominated by each commodity industry, are familiar with the handling of such commodity in their local area and are thus in a position to make recommendations to the Secretary. This notice pertains to the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico (7 CFR part 983), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Order.’’ The Order authorizes grade and size requirements, as well as a requirement for aflatoxin testing on domestic shipments only. The Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) locally administers the Order that requires handlers to submit certain information to the Committee to effectively implement program requirements, fulfill the intent of the Act, and assist the industry in carrying out marketing decisions. Only authorized employees of the Committee, and authorized representatives of the USDA have access to information provided on the forms. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Requesting public comments on the forms described below is part of the process to obtain approval through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The forms needing OMB approval are contained in OMB No. 0581–0215 and include Committee nominations and ballots for producers (SC–245 and SC– 246) and handlers (SC–245A and SC– 244); background statements for Committee nominees (SC–243); marketing agreement (SC–242); and referendum (SC–240A) and continuance ballots (SC–240). There are also forms to report assessment receipts (ACP–1), notify for failed lot dispositions (ACP–2), apply for exemption from handling requirements (ACP–3), request for minimal testing for aflatoxins (ACP–4), report inter-handler transfers (ACP–5), provide monthly inventory and shipment data (ACP–6), and submit lists of producers and deliveries (ACP–7). Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.27 hours per response. Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers, and testing laboratories. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,220. Estimated Number of Responses: 1,968.37. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.61. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 541.19 hours. Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of the 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 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 E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1 21484 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 61 / Thursday, March 28, 2024 / Notices for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2024–06493 Filed 3–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–FTPP–22–0080] National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard; Annual Review of the List of Bioengineered Foods ACTION: Notice; request for information. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting information about potential additions to or subtractions from the List of Bioengineered Foods (List) as it pertains to the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (Standard). DATES: Comments must be received by April 29, 2024 to be assured of consideration. SUMMARY: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments via the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov. Enter ‘‘AMS– FTPP–22–0080’’ in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the ‘Comment’ button in the list of documents. Comments may also be filed by mail or by fax with the Docket Clerk, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 2069—South, Washington, DC 20250; Fax: (202) 260–8369. All comments submitted in response to this notice, including the identity of individuals or entities submitting comments, will be made available to the public on the internet via https:// www.regulations.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Kenneth Becker, Research and Rulemaking Branch Chief, Food Disclosure and Labeling Division, Fair Trade Practices Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Telephone (202) 570–3661, Email kenneth.becker@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On July 29, 2016, Public Law 114–216 amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et. seq.) (amended Act) to require USDA to establish a national, mandatory standard for disclosing any food that is or may be bioengineered. In accordance with the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:27 Mar 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 amended Act, USDA published final regulations (2018 final rule) to implement the Standard on December 21, 2018 (83 FR 65814). The regulations became effective on February 19, 2019, with a mandatory compliance date of January 1, 2022. Under 7 CFR 66.1, a bioengineered food is a food that— subject to certain factors, conditions, and limitations—contains detectable genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques and for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature. The regulations, at 7 CFR 66.6, provides the List, which currently includes: alfalfa, apple (ArcticTM varieties), canola, corn, cotton, eggplant (BARI Bt Begun varieties), papaya (ringspot virus-resistant varieties), pineapple (pink flesh varieties), potato, salmon (AquAdvantage®), soybean, squash (summer, coat-protein mediated virus-resistant), sugarbeet, and sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant). Where practical, the List includes specific information about individual crops and foods, such as variety descriptions or trade names, to help distinguish bioengineered versions of those foods from their non-bioengineered counterparts. The List attempts to capture bioengineered crops and food that meet the statutory definition of ‘‘bioengineering,’’ based on existing technology, and that could potentially be offered for sale in the United States (83 FR 65839). AMS has developed the List to identify the crops and food that are available in a bioengineered form, and to aid regulated entities considering whether they may need to make a bioengineered disclosure (83 FR 65839). Food has a broad definition under 7 CFR 66.1 and includes raw agricultural commodities, such as crops and animals; incidental additives; and processed foods. Raw agricultural commodities, including crops and animals, are candidates for inclusion on the List. Microbes, such as enzymes, yeasts, and other similar foods produced in controlled environments, are excluded from the List, as explained in the preamble to the 2018 Final Rule, and therefore are not considered for addition to the List (83 FR 65839). Similarly, ‘‘processed foods’’, as defined at 7 CFR 66.1, are excluded from the List (See 83 FR 65819). As stated in the preamble to the 2018 final rule, at 83 FR 65852, the List ‘‘establishes a presumption about what foods might require disclosure under the Standard but does not absolve PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 regulated entities from the requirement to disclose the bioengineered status of food and food ingredients produced with foods not on the List when the regulated entities have actual knowledge that such foods or food ingredients are bioengineered.’’ As a result, if a regulated entity is using a food or ingredient produced from an item on the List, they must make a bioengineered food disclosure unless they have records demonstrating that the food or ingredient they are using is not bioengineered. Similarly, even if a food is not on the List, a regulated entity must make a bioengineered food disclosure if they have actual knowledge a food or ingredient that they are using is a bioengineered food or a bioengineered food ingredient. The regulations at 7 CFR 66.7(a) require AMS to review and consider updates to the List on an annual basis and solicit comments regarding recommended updates to the List through notification in the Federal Register and on the AMS website. The regulations at 7 CFR 66.7(a) further provide that: (1) Recommendations regarding additions to and subtractions from the List may be submitted to AMS at any time or as part of the annual review process. (2) Recommendations should be accompanied by data and other information to support the recommended action. (3) AMS will post public recommendations on its website, along with information about other revisions to the List that the agency may be considering, including input based on consultation with the government agencies responsible for oversight of the products of biotechnology: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA–APHIS); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’ and appropriate members of the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology or a similar successor. (4) AMS will consider whether foods for inclusion on the List have been authorized for commercial production somewhere in the world and whether the food is currently in legal commercial production for human food somewhere in the world. As stated at 7 CFR 66.7(b), regulated entities will have 18 months following the effective date of the updated List to revise food labels to reflect changes to the List in accordance with the disclosure requirements of 7 CFR part 66. E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1

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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21483-21484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06493]


========================================================================
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. 89 , No. 61 / Thursday, March 28, 2024 / 
Notices

[[Page 21483]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-24-0009]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection for Pistachios Grown in California, 
Arizona, and New Mexico

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request 
an extension for and revision to a currently approved information 
collection for Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, 
pursuant to Federal Marketing Order No. 983.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice to the Docket Clerk, Market Development 
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or 
online at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in 
response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made 
available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of 
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: Thomas Nalepa, Marketing Specialist, 
and Matthew Pavone, Chief, Rulemaking Services Branch, Market 
Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
Telephone: (202) 720-8085; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Email: 
[email protected] and [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, 
DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 720-8085; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, 
Marketing Order No. 983.
    OMB Number: 0581-0215.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2024.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, 
as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act,'' 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue marketing orders that 
regulate the handling of any agricultural commodity specified in the 
Act, and to consider recommendations submitted by the administrative 
committees that manage the operations of such marketing orders. The 
individuals serving on an administrative committee are nominated by 
each commodity industry, are familiar with the handling of such 
commodity in their local area and are thus in a position to make 
recommendations to the Secretary.
    This notice pertains to the Federal marketing order regulating the 
handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico (7 
CFR part 983), hereinafter referred to as the ``Order.'' The Order 
authorizes grade and size requirements, as well as a requirement for 
aflatoxin testing on domestic shipments only.
    The Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) locally 
administers the Order that requires handlers to submit certain 
information to the Committee to effectively implement program 
requirements, fulfill the intent of the Act, and assist the industry in 
carrying out marketing decisions. Only authorized employees of the 
Committee, and authorized representatives of the USDA have access to 
information provided on the forms.
    Requesting public comments on the forms described below is part of 
the process to obtain approval through the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB).
    The forms needing OMB approval are contained in OMB No. 0581-0215 
and include Committee nominations and ballots for producers (SC-245 and 
SC-246) and handlers (SC-245A and SC-244); background statements for 
Committee nominees (SC-243); marketing agreement (SC-242); and 
referendum (SC-240A) and continuance ballots (SC-240).
    There are also forms to report assessment receipts (ACP-1), notify 
for failed lot dispositions (ACP-2), apply for exemption from handling 
requirements (ACP-3), request for minimal testing for aflatoxins (ACP-
4), report inter-handler transfers (ACP-5), provide monthly inventory 
and shipment data (ACP-6), and submit lists of producers and deliveries 
(ACP-7).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.27 hours per response.
    Respondents: Pistachio producers, handlers, and testing 
laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,220.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,968.37.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.61.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 541.19 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the 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 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

[[Page 21484]]

for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public 
record.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06493 Filed 3-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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