[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 70687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32731]



[[Page 70687]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection in support of the Market Access Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 15, 2000 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Denise Huttenlocker, Deputy 
Director, Marketing Operations Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1042, (202) 720-4327.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Market Access Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0227.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Market Access Program is to 
encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial 
export markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-share 
assistance to eligible trade organizations that implement a foreign 
market development program. Financial assistance under this program is 
made available on a competitive basis. Currently, there are more than 
70 organizations participating directly in the program with activities 
in more than 100 countries. The Market Access Program is administered 
by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
    Prior to initiating program activities, Participants must submit 
detailed applications to FAS which include country strategies, 
constraints, goals and benchmarks, proposed activities, estimated 
budgets, and performance measurements. Each Participant is also 
responsible for submitting: (1) Reimbursement claims for approved costs 
incurred in carrying out approved activities, (2) an end-of-year 
contribution report, (3) travel reports, and (4) program evaluations. 
Participants must maintain records on all information submitted to FAS. 
The information collection is used by FAS to manage, plan, evaluate and 
account for Government resources. The reports and records are required 
to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 24 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit organizations, state groups, cooperatives, 
and commercial entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 70.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 41.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 62,830.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.

Request for Comments

    Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways 
to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any 
other aspect of this collection of information, to:
    Kent D. Sisson, Director, Marketing Operations Staff, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 
1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042.
    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 records.

    Signed at Washington, DC on December 8, 1999.
Timothy J. Galvin,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-32731 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M