[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37513-37514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18460]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service
RIN 0551-AA26


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

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

[[Page 37514]]

notice announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection in support of the FAS/Cooperator Market 
Development Program based on re-estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 11, 1998 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:
Contact Kent D. Sisson, Director, Marketing Operations Staff, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1042, (202) 720-4327.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Title: FAS/Cooperator Market Development Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0026.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Foreign Market Development 
Program is to develop, maintain and expand long-term export markets for 
U.S. agricultural products. Created over 40 years ago, the program is a 
cooperative effort between FAS and non-profit agricultural trade 
organizations (called ``Cooperators''). The FAS currently provides cost 
share assistance for market development to approximately 30 Cooperators 
working in more than 100 countries.
    Prior to initiating program activities, each Cooperator must submit 
a detailed application to FAS which includes an assessment of overseas 
market potential; marketing strategy, goals and market development 
activities; estimated budgets; and performance measurements. Prior 
years' plans often dictate the content of current year plans because 
many activities are continuations of previous activities. Each 
Cooperator is also responsible for submitting: (1) reimbursement claims 
for eligible costs incurred, (2) an end-of-year contribution report, 
(3) travel reports, and (4) progress reports/evaluation studies. 
Cooperators must maintain records on all information submitted to FAS. 
The information collection is used by FAS to manage, plan, evaluate and 
account for Government resources. The reports and records are required 
to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit trade organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 73.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 43,800 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Valerie 
Countiss, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
6713.
    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the 
burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information, to: 
Kent D. Sisson, Director, Marketing Operations Staff, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 
20250-1042. Facsimile submissions may be sent to 202-720-9361 and 
electronic mail submissions should be addressed to 
[email protected].
    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. June 29, 1998.
Timothy J. Galvin,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 98-18460 Filed 7-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M