[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 2168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-711]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 2168]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Economic Research 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 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
Economic Research Service's (ERS) intention to request approval for a 
new information collection, the Application for Agriculture Market 
Information Survey, 1999, to analyze the market for economic 
information on agricultural commodities. The data will be used to 
assess how customers of agricultural economic information use and value 
information from a variety of government and private information 
sources. From this assessment, the ERS hopes to determine the most 
effective future role for USDA and ERS in economic information markets.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 19, 1999, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact John Dunmore, Deputy 
Director for Program Management, Market and Trade Economics Division, 
Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1800 M 
Street NW, Room N5124, Washington, D.C. 20036-5831, 202-694-5200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Application for Agriculture Market Information Survey, 1999.
    Type of Request: Approval to collect information on the uses, 
types, and sources of economic information on agricultural markets.
    Abstract: Title 7, Section 1622 of the United States Code 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect and disseminate 
marketing information for the purpose of anticipating and meeting 
consumer requirements. Such requirements include economic and marketing 
information on a variety of agriculture markets including those for 
commodities, farm inputs, and financial services. There are signs, 
however, that consumer demands for such information may be changing. 
These signs include the changing structure of commodity markets, the 
declining importance of commodity programs, rapidly evolving technology 
for information delivery, and the globalization of U.S. agriculture. To 
better identify the changes in these information needs, the ERS 
developed the Agricultural Market Information Project. The goals of 
this project are to analyze the current market for agricultural 
economic information and to determine the most effective role that the 
USDA and ERS should play in such information markets. By providing the 
marketing and economic information that agricultural decision-makers 
need, the USDA and ERS hope to better ensure that the U.S. food and 
agriculture sector effectively adapts to changing market structures, 
domestic policy reforms, and international trade conditions. Phase I of 
the Agricultural Market Information Project, to understand the use of 
and need for economic information within USDA, is largely complete. The 
ERS is now ready to enter Phase II of the project, a study of the 
market for economic information for users outside USDA. The ERS 
proposes the design and distribution of a survey instrument to collect 
information from consumers of economic information on commodity 
markets. The ERS has contracted with a private research firm with 
extensive experience in survey design and implementation, Mathematica 
Policy Research Inc., to design and conduct the survey. The survey will 
ask respondents how they use economic information, the types of 
information that they use, specific sources of information (USDA as 
well as other government and non-government sources), and how they 
value such information. Surveys will be mailed to members of several 
producer associations. Nonrespondents may be followed up by telephone 
interviews. Any information linking survey responses to individuals 
will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone.
    Estimates of burden: Public reporting burden for this data 
collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per response.
    Respondents: A sample of members from agricultural producer 
associations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,120.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on respondents: 373 hours.
    Copies of the information to be collected can be obtained from John 
Dunmore, Deputy Director for Program Management, Market and Trade 
Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1800 M Street NW, Room N5124, Washington, D.C. 20036-5831, 
202-694-5200.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Department, 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; 
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to John Dunmore, Deputy Director for Program Management, Market 
and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street NW, Room N5124, Washington, 
D.C. 20036-5831, 202-694-5204. All responses to this notice will be 
considered and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 6, 1999.
Katherine Smith,
Director, Market and Trade Economics Division.
[FR Doc. 99-711 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P