[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8162-8163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4035]


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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 Beef Cattle 
Pesticide Use Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 24, 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: Beef Cattle Pesticide Use Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Producers of beef cattle in 12 Western States will be 
surveyed. The survey asks for information about pesticides used to 
treat beef cattle to control external parasites, pesticides used in and 
around beef cattle facilities, and beef cattle pest management 
practices. Data collected will help provide quality information to 
fulfill certain requirements of the Food Quality Protection Act of 
1996. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must make regulatory 
decisions affecting many pesticide products. In order to do an 
effective risk assessment, accurate pesticide use information is 
essential. A Pesticide Benefit Assessments report will be produced by 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). With the 
information, EPA and USDA together can evaluate the risks and the 
benefits of pesticide use. Presently, there is very little information 
on pesticides used on beef cattle.
    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

[[Page 8163]]

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: Beef cattle producers in 12 Western States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,000 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 22, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4035 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
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