[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 220 (Monday, November 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63666-63667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30562]


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

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.

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

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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request approval for a new information collection, the Fruit and 
Vegetable Agricultural Practices Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 20, 1999 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: Fruit and Vegetable Agricultural Practices Survey.

[[Page 63667]]

    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Fruit and Vegetable Agricultural Practices Survey 
will be conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. 
Survey data will be analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration as 
part of a pilot study on agricultural practices related to microbial 
food safety. Data on sources of microbial contamination on produce, 
including water; manure; worker, field and facility sanitation; and 
crop identification systems will be collected. These data will be used 
by the Food and Drug Administration to analyze current agricultural 
practices and to develop a baseline to evaluate changes in farm 
practices. The survey will be conducted in California and New York. 
This survey is in compliance with President Clinton's October 1997 
directive entitled ``Initiative to Ensure the Safety of Imported and 
Domestic Fruits and Vegetables.'' 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 60 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Fruit and vegetable growers and fruit and vegetable 
packinghouses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    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., November 3, 1998.
Donald M. Bay,
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30562 Filed 11-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-M