[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 3681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1613]



[[Page 3681]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved 
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 National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection, the Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 31, 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: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.
    OMB Number: 0535-0004.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Program 
obtains basic poultry statistics from voluntary cooperators throughout 
the Nation. The data are used to prepare and issue current State and 
national estimates. Statistics are published on placement of pullet 
chicks for hatchery supply flocks, hatching reports for broiler-type, 
egg-type, and turkey eggs, number of layers on hand, total table egg 
production, non-federally inspected poultry slaughter, and production, 
disposition, and income estimates for eggs, chickens, and turkeys. Non-
federally inspected poultry slaughter data are obtained from State 
Departments of Agriculture.
    This statistical information issued by producers, processors, feed 
dealers, and others in the marketing and supply channels as a basis for 
production and marketing decision. Government agencies use these 
estimates to evaluate poultry product supplies. The information is an 
important consideration in government purchases for the school lunch 
program and in formulation of export-import policy. The Egg, Chicken, 
and Turkey Surveys have approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS 
intends to request that the surveys be approved for another 3 years.
    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 9 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,145 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 11, 1999.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1613 Filed 1-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-M