[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 58377] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-28299] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Foreign Agricultural Service Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Public Law 480, Title I program, found at 7 CFR part 17. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 28, 1999 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Director, Public Law 480 Operations Division, Export Credits, Foreign Agricultural Service, Room 4549 South Building, Stop 1033, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-1033. Telephone: (202) 720- 3664. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Regulations-Financing Commercial Sales of Agricultural Commodities under Title, Public Law 480. OMB Number: 0551-0005. Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2000. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended, (Public Law 480) authorizes the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to finance the sale and exportation of agricultural commodities on concessional credit terms. 7 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. Suppliers of commodities and ocean transportation must retain records for three years. Prospect commodity suppliers must provide information for the Department to determine eligibility. Commodity suppliers must report details of sales for price approval and to submit to USDA, for approval, information on any amendments to the sales. Shipping agents nominated by importing countries must submit information to allow identification of possible conflicts of interest. Estimate of Burden: CCC estimates the public reporting burden to be eight hours per year per supplier for the recordkeeping requirements; two hours for new suppliers that need to develop the information necessary for eligibility under Public Law 480, Title I program; 15 minutes for commodity suppliers to prepare telephonic notices of sale and requests for approval of sale amendments; and, one hour for shipping agents to prepare a complete package of information required by the regulations each fiscal year and 15 minutes to prepare each subsequent submission updating information as changes occur. Respondents: Suppliers of commodities and ocean transportation; prospective commodity suppliers; shipping agents. Estimated Number of Respondents: 64. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 441.75 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720- 2568. Request for 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 Acting Director, Public Law 480 Operations Division, Export Credits, Foreign Agricultural Service, Room 4549 South Building, Stop 1033, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-1033 and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, on October 21, 1999. Richard Fritz, General Sales Manager, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 99-28299 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-10-M