[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 31, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15336-15337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7800]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
March 25, 1999.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden 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, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington,
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by
calling (202) 720-6746.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Emergency Loan Policies, Procedures and Authorizations--7
CFR part 1945-D.
OMB Control Numbers: 0560-0159.
Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act of 1972 authorizes emergency loss loans to assist farmers who have
suffered physical or production losses in areas declared by the
President, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, or named for
physical loss loans by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator.
Funds may be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or
part of production costs associated property, pay all or part of
production costs associated with the disaster year, essential family
living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, or refinance debts.
Emergency loss loans are low interest direct loans which are made and
serviced by FSA officials. FSA will document and verify the extent of
losses suffered because of the natural disaster, and account for loan
funds that will be disbursed to borrowers in more than one installment.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information using
forms to determine an applicant's eligibility and property loss and
account for loan funds that will be disbursed. The collected
information will be used to protect the government's financial
interests by ensuring that only farming operations which have suffered
a 30 percent production loss are determined eligible for emergency
loans.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 3,100.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,960.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0128.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (60
Stat. 1087-1091, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) (AMA) directs and
authorizes the Department to develop standards of quality, grades,
grading programs, and services to enable a more orderly marketing of
agricultural products so trading may be facilitated and so consumers
may be able to obtain products graded and identified under USDA
programs with the confidence of receiving quality in accordance with
the standards, grades, and regulations. The regulations provide a
voluntary program for grading shell eggs on the basis of U.S.
standards, grades, and weight classes. In addition, the shell egg
industry and users of the products have requested that other types of
voluntary services be developed and provided under these regulations;
e.g., contract and specification acceptance services and certification
of quantity. This voluntary grading service is available on a resident
basis or a lot-fee bases. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will
collect information using forms PY-100, PY-157, and PY-240.
Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on
the name, address, and the kind of services or benefits the respondents
wish. The
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information is used to administer and to conduct and carry out the
grading services requested by the respondents. If the information is
not collected, the Agency would not be able to provide the voluntary
grading service authorized and requested by Congress under the AMA, to
provide the types of services requested by industry, to administer the
program, to ensure properly grade-labeled products, to calculate the
cost of the service, and to collect for the cost furnishing service as
required by section 203(h) of the AMA.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 643.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Semi-annually;
Monthly; Annually; Other.
Total Burden Hours: 5,602.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: List of Commodities by Firm Available for Exporting.
OMB Control Number: 0551-0031.
Summary of Collection: The AgExport Connections Office of USDA's
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) facilitates trade contracts between
U.S. exporters and foreign buyers seeking U.S. food and agricultural
products. Authority for this program falls under 7 U.S.C. Part 1761.
The U.S. Supplier List (USL) and Foreign Buyer List (FBL) services are
designed to help U.S. firms make contact with export agents, trading
companies, importers and foreign buyers and create an opportunity to
sell their products in overseas markets. This service provides the U.S.
firm an opportunity to have a data record providing basic information
about the company and the products it exports put into a USDA
maintained database. FAS will collect information using a combination
of forms and telephone interviews.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information on
contact names, mailing addresses, telephone, fax, email, and websites.
The main purposes of the USL and FBL services is to foster trade
contacts in an effort to facilitate greater export of U.S. agriculture
food, forestry, and fishery products. The databases are used to recruit
U.S. exporters, importers, and buyers to participate in market
development activities sponsored by USDA. These databases must be
updated periodically to maintain the integrity and usefulness to the
trade community.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 29,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Semi-annually.
Total Burden Hours: 3,730.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Department Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-7800 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M