[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 161 (Monday, August 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 42831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21071]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) to request an extension for and revision to an information 
collection currently approved in support of the sugar program 
regulations. Provisions in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 have resulted in a decrease in burden hours for 
information collection under the sugar program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 
18, 1996, to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: David Wolf, Agricultural Program Specialist, 
Price Support Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 0512, P.O. Box 
2415, Washington, D.C. 20013-2415; telephone (202) 720-4704.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Sugar Program, 7 CFR Part 1435.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0093.
    Expiration Date: July 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Number 0560-0093, as identified above, is needed to enable 
FSA to effectively administer the regulations at 7 CFR 1435 relating to 
loans for sugar beets and sugarcane. The Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act) eliminates the protection 
of sugar producers in the event of processor bankruptcy or other 
insolvency. Previous regulations allowed producers to file with CCC, 
form SU-3, Application for Benefit Payment, for nonpayment by a 
processor of producer benefits. The 1996 Act also eliminates the 
requirement that a processor making an application for loan, will make 
assurances to guarantee that the processor will pay the producers of 
sugar beets or sugarcane the maximum benefits under the sugar loan 
program. Previously, processors posting a bond or other financial 
assurance were required to file with CCC, either form SU-4, Surety Bond 
for Sugar Loan Program, SU-5, Claims Waiver, or SU-6, Agreement to 
Provide Adequate Financial Assurance. Accordingly, eliminating these 
forms will decrease burden hours.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average 16 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Sugar Processors and Producers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 120.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 65 hours.
    Topics for comment include but are not limited to the following: 
(a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) 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 should be sent to the Desk Officer 
for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office 
of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503 and to David Wolf, 
Program Specialist, Price Support Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 
STOP 0512, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, D.C. 20013-2415; telephone (202) 
720-4704. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from 
David Wolf at the above address.
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on August 12, 1996.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 96-21071 Filed 8-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P