[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 25583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12092]


 ========================================================================
 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. 62, No. 90 / Friday, May 9, 1997 / Notices  

[[Page 25583]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. DA-97-04]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for National Research, 
Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs for Agricultural Marketing 
Service.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before July 8, 
1997 to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Eugene E. Krueger, 
Promotion and Research Staff, Dairy Division, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Rm. 2734--
South, Washington DC 20090, Telephone (202) 720-6909 and Fax (202) 720-
0285.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information 
Programs for Agricultural Marketing Service.
    OMB Number: 0581-0093.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Current expiration date is 10/31/97.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: National research and promotion programs are designed to 
strengthen the position of a commodity in the marketplace, maintain and 
expand existing domestic and foreign markets, and develop new uses and 
markets for specified agricultural commodities. These programs carry 
out projects relating to research, consumer information, advertising, 
sales promotion, producer information, market development, and product 
research to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, 
and utilization of their respective commodities. Approval of the 
programs is required through referendum of those who would be covered. 
The programs are directed by industry boards. These boards, usually 
composed of producer, handler, processor, and in some cases, importer 
and public members, are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to 
administer the programs. The funding for such programs is collected 
from designated industry segments, usually through deductions from 
sales by producers, processors, marketers, and/or importers. The 
appointed boards are responsible for collecting assessments from the 
affected persons covered under these programs.
    The Secretary also approves the boards' budgets, plans, and 
projects. These responsibilities have been delegated to the 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The applicable commodity 
divisions within AMS have direct oversight of the respective programs.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intents of the various Acts authorizing such 
programs, thereby providing a means of administering the programs. The 
forms covered under this collection require the minimum information 
necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the respective 
orders, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intents of the Acts 
as expressed in the orders. The information collected is used only by 
authorized employees of the various boards and authorized employees of 
USDA.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .0826125 hours per response.
    Respondents: Producers, processors, handlers, and/or importers of a 
variety of agricultural commodities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Total respondents are estimated to 
be 319,342.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: Number of responses 
per respondent varies between programs but is estimated to average 
13.90636.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Estimated total 
annual burden is 366,873 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Eugene E. Krueger, 
Promotion and Research Staff, Dairy Division, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Rm.2734-South, 
Washington D.C., 20090. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    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: May 5, 1997.
Richard M. McKee,
Director, Dairy Division.
[FR Doc. 97-12092 Filed 5-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P