[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60610-60611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26107]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. L.S.-00-09]


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

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for the Seed Service Testing 
Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 11, 2000 to 
be assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Richard C. Payne, Chief, Seed 
Regulatory and Testing Branch (SRTB), Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, 
Room 209, Building 306, BARC-E., Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2325, 
telephone (301) 504-9430, Fax (301) 504-8098.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Seed Service Testing Program.
    OMB Number: 0581-0140.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary to conduct 
voluntary seed testing on a fee for service basis. The AMA of 1946, as 
amended, 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq. authorizes the Secretary to inspect and 
certify the quality of agricultural products and collect such fees as 
reasonable to cover the cost of service rendered.
    The purpose of the voluntary program is to promote efficient, 
orderly marketing of seeds, and assist in the development of new and 
expanding markets. Under the program, samples of agricultural and 
vegetable seeds submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Service are 
tested for factors such as purity and germination at the request of the 
applicant for the service. In addition, grain samples, submitted at the 
applicant's request, by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration are examined for the presence of certain weed and crop 
seed. A Federal Seed Analysis Certificate is issued giving the test 
results. Most of the seed tested under this program is scheduled for 
export. Many importing countries require a Federal Seed Analysis 
Certificate on U.S. seed.
    The only information collected is information needed to provide the 
service requested by the applicant. This includes information to 
identify the seed being tested, the seed treatment (if treated with a 
pesticide), the tests to be performed, and any other appropriate 
information required by the applicant to be on the Federal Seed 
Analysis Certificate.
    The number of seed companies applying for the seed testing service 
has decreased from 92 to 65 during the past 3 years due to 
consolidation of the seed industry. Even though the number of seed 
companies applying for the service has decreased, the number of samples 
received for testing has increased slightly. Therefore, the average 
burden for information collection has increased for seed companies 
applying for the service.
    The information in this collection is used only by authorized AMS 
employees to track, test, and report test results to the applicant.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Applicants for seed testing service.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 65.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 24.1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 392 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Richard C. Payne, 
Chief, Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, L.S., AMS, USDA, Room 209, 
Building 306, BARC-E., Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2325 or by E-mail to 
[email protected]. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    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.


[[Page 60611]]


    Dated: October 4, 2000.
Barry L. Carpenter,
Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 00-26107 Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P