[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2606]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval to Conduct an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 
5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to 
request approval for a new information collection, the Agricultural 
Trade Association Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 9, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4117 
South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agricultural Trade Association Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The survey is aimed at U.S. agricultural producer and 
commodity trade associations whose members produce, process, and/or 
market agricultural goods or services sold commercially in the U.S. 
and/or export markets. The survey asks for information about steps 
trade associations have taken or will take to help their members become 
more competitive in the emerging global economy. Data collected will 
help United States Agency for International Development to formulate 
programs to foster hemispheric agricultural trade that is mutually 
beneficial to agricultural producers in both the United States and in 
Latin America and the Caribbean.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: U.S. Trade Associations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 650 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

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 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 may be sent to:
    Larry Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4162 South Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-2000.
    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, D.C., January 21, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2606 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
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