The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has moved to extend and revise a critical information collection mechanism that underpins the operations of several federal marketing orders governing various fruit crops. This administrative action, formally announced in the Federal Register on September 23, 2026, opens a public comment period until November 23, 2026, allowing stakeholders to weigh in on the proposed continuation and modifications.
This information collection, identified by OMB Number 0581-0189, is essential for AMS to fulfill its mandate under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The Act empowers the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee marketing order operations, which are designed to ensure stable markets, adequate supplies of high-quality products, and fair returns for producers. The current approval for this collection is set to expire on January 31, 2027, necessitating this request for extension and revision.
Scope of the Information Collection
The notice specifically covers a range of prominent fruit marketing order programs. These include 7 CFR parts 905 (Florida citrus), 906 (Texas citrus), 915 (Florida avocados), 920 (California kiwifruit), 923 (Washington cherries), 925 (California desert grapes), and 927 (Oregon/Washington pears). Notably, Marketing Order 929, covering cranberries grown in 10 states, was terminated on July 31, 2024, and is therefore excluded from this renewal process.
The collected information serves multiple vital functions within these marketing orders. It facilitates the selection process for industry members who serve on the various marketing order boards or committees. These individuals, nominated by their peers, must provide information demonstrating their qualifications before appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Additionally, the collection encompasses ballots used in referenda, which are required for approving formal rulemaking amendments or for continuing a marketing order program.
Furthermore, the boards and committees, responsible for local administration, require handlers and producers to submit specific data. This includes information related to the supplies, shipments, and dispositions of their respective commodities. This data, often compiled in aggregate, is then provided back to the industries to inform marketing decisions, thereby contributing to the effective functioning of the Act.
Regulatory Framework and Burden Estimates
Compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires federal agencies to minimize the public reporting burden from information collections. The AMS has estimated the public reporting burden for this collection to average 0.27 hours per response. The agency anticipates approximately 3,172 respondents, including producers, handlers, processors, and cooperatives, contributing to an estimated total annual 18,033 responses. The estimated total annual burden on respondents is projected at 4,946.04 hours, with an additional 476 hours for recordkeeping.
The information collected is restricted to authorized representatives of the USDA, including AMS Specialty Crops Program staff at both regional and headquarters levels, and authorized employees of the respective marketing order boards or committees. The boards or committees typically act as the primary users of this data, with AMS serving as a secondary user.
Opportunity for Public Comment
The comment period provides an important avenue for affected parties to scrutinize the necessity and practical utility of this information collection. AMS explicitly invites comments on four key areas: (1) whether the collection is necessary for proper agency function, (2) the accuracy of the agency's burden estimate, including its methodology and assumptions, (3) ways to improve the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information, and (4) methods to minimize the burden on respondents, potentially through technological advancements or alternative collection techniques.
All comments submitted in response to this notice will become part of the public record and will be summarized and included in AMS's final request for OMB approval. This public engagement phase is crucial for ensuring that the information collection requirements remain efficient, relevant, and as minimally burdensome as possible while still achieving the objectives of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act.
