[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8427-8428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4170]


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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 for 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 April 20, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Cooperative Services Questionnaire:
    New Cooperative Volume and Structure, Producer Survey for New 
Cooperative Activity.
    OMB Number: 0570-0008.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) Cooperative 
Services Programs conducts feasibility studies to assist in the 
development of new cooperatives. The Cooperative Development Division 
(CDD) specializes

[[Page 8428]]

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.

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 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Mainly producers of agricultural products in domestic 
market areas in which proposed cooperatives would be expected to market 
their member's products.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 245.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 245 hours per year.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Diana 
Wareham, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 720-
1975.
    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 Diana 
Wareham, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0743. 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: February 11, 1998.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4170 Filed 2-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P