[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 237 (Monday, December 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64856-64857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31233]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Rural Business- Cooperative 
Service (RBS) to request an extension of a currently approved 
information collection in support of the Cooperative Development 
Division (CDD), Cooperative Development Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 7, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Wells, Director, CDD, Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Cooperative Development Division, 
STOP 3254, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3254. 
Telephone: (202) 720-3350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Cooperative Services Questionnaire: Market Potential for New 
Cooperatives, Buyer Survey for New Cooperative Activity.
    OMB Number: 0570-0009.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) USDA, 
formerly the Cooperative Services (ACS), conducts feasibility studies 
to assist in the development of new cooperatives. The Cooperative 
Development Division specializes in technical assistance to 
agricultural and rural producer groups interested in organizing a 
cooperative, and to emerging or developing co-ops, so they can: (a) use 
sensible economic judgment, (b) determine co-op feasibility, (c) meet 
an economic need, (d) successfully operate on sound business principles 
and, (e) increase member income. In order to carry out the Agency's 
mission, RBS needs to collect information from the cooperative 
community.
    The authority to carry out RBS mission is defined in the 
Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (44 Stat. 802-1926), and other 
regulations listed below.

[[Page 64857]]

Authority and Duties of Division (7 U.S.C. & 453)

    (a) The division shall render service to associations of producers 
of agricultural products, and federations and subsidiaries thereof, 
engaged in the cooperative marketing of agricultural products, 
including processing, warehousing, manufacturing, storage, the 
cooperative purchasing of farm supplies, credit, financing, insurance, 
and other cooperative activities.
    (b) The division is authorized:
    (1) To acquire, analyze and disseminate economic, statistical, and 
historical information regarding the progress, organization, and 
business methods of cooperative associations in the United States and 
foreign countries.
    (2) To conduct studies of the economic, legal, financial, social, 
and other phases of cooperation, and publish the results thereof. Such 
studies shall include the analyses of the organization, operation, 
financial and merchandising problems of cooperative associations.
    (3) To make surveys and analyses if deemed advisable of the 
accounts and business practices of representative cooperative 
associations upon their request; to report to the association so 
surveyed to results thereof, and with the consent of the association so 
surveyed to publish summaries of the results of such surveys, together 
with similar facts, for the guidance of cooperative associations and 
for the purpose of assisting cooperative associations in developing 
methods of business and market analysis.
    (4) To confer and advise with committees or groups of producers, if 
deemed advisable, that may be desirous of forming a cooperative 
association and to make an economic survey and analysis of the facts 
surrounding the production and marketing of the agricultural product or 
products which the association, if formed, would handle or market.
    (5) To acquire from all available sources information concerning 
crop prospects, supply, demand, current receipts, exports, imports, and 
prices of the agricultural products handled or marketed by cooperative 
associations, and to employ qualified commodity marketing specialists 
to summarize and analyze this information and disseminate the same 
among cooperative associations, and others.
    (6) To promote the knowledge of cooperative principles and 
practices and to cooperate, in promoting such knowledge, with 
educational and marketing agencies, cooperative associations, and 
others.
    (7) To make such special studies, in the United States and foreign 
countries, and to acquire and disseminate such information and findings 
as may be useful in the development and practice of cooperation.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Mainly buyers of agricultural products in domestic 
market areas in which proposed cooperatives would be expected to market 
their member's products.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 105
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 52.5 hours per year.
    The Cooperative Development Division specializes in technical 
assistance to agricultural and rural producer groups interested in 
organizing a cooperative, and to emerging or developing co-ops, so they 
can: (a) use sensible economic judgment, (b) determine co-op 
feasibility, (c) meet an economic need, (d) successfully operate on 
sound business principles and, (e) increase member income.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Sam 
Spencer, Rural Business Team Information Collection Coordinator, at 
(202) 720-9588.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Sam 
Spencer, Rural Business Team Information Collection Coordinator, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0743, or may be submitted via the Internet by 
addressing them to comments @ rus.usda.gov and must contain the words 
Buyer Survey. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: November 2, 1996.
Wilbur T. Peer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31233 Filed 12-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U