[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 228 (Monday, November 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70689-70690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30074]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 228 / Monday, November 27, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 70689]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 20, 2000.
    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.

Agricultural Research Service

    Title: Grant Application Package
    OMB Control Number: 0518-0025
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) 
awards grant under the general authority of 7 U.S.C. 3318, delegated to 
the Administrator of ARS at 7 CFR part 2, Sec. 2.65. ARS serves as the 
primary research organization of the Department of Agriculture and 
conducts in-house research in over 100 ARS laboratories focused on the 
critical needs of American agriculture. ARS' research mission involves 
the development and execution of national strategies needed to mobilize 
resources, foster multi-disciplinary research, and link research to 
program and policy objectives established by Congress and the 
Department. ARS may accept unsolicited research grant proposals 
demonstrating merit in supporting and/or stimulating a public purpose 
and deemed to be complementary to the ARS research mission. ARS will 
collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: ARS will collect information to 
review applicant's qualifications; to comply with applicable 
Departmental regulations governing Federal assistance; and to 
facilitate merit review of research proposals.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Individuals or households; Farms; Federal 
Government, State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 800.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: National Childhood Agricultural Injury and Occupational 
Health Survey of Minority Farm Operators.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0235.
    Summary of Collection: Primary function of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue state 
and national estimates of crop and livestock production under the 
authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). NASS has an interagency agreement with 
the National Institute of Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) to conduct 
surveys that target some of the same population of minority farm 
operators. The Minority Childhood Injury and Occupational Health Survey 
will address (1) minority childhood agricultural injuries and (2) 
occupational health of minority of female farm operators. This study 
will provide estimates of childhood nonfatal injury incidence and 
description of injury occurring to children less than 20 years of age 
who reside, work, or visit farms operated by minorities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The National Institute of 
Occupational Safety Health will use the data to establish a measure of 
the number and rate of childhood injuries associated with production 
agriculture, the specific type of injuries sustained and to, generate 
reports and disseminate information to all interested parties 
concerning the findings. The study is critical in filling a gap 
regarding occupational health problems specific to minority or female 
farm owner/operators. If the data were not collected, NIOSH would be 
unable to effectively target funds appropriated by Congress for the 
prevention childhood agricultural injuries.
    Description of Respondents; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 60,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,612.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Regulation Governing Inspection, Certification, and 
Standards for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products--7 CFR part 
51.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0125.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 gives 
authorization to USDA to inspect, certify and identify the class, 
quantity, quality and condition of agricultural produce when shipped or 
received in interstate commerce and to enter into cooperative 
agreements with cooperating Federal-State inspection Agencies that 
provide for this inspection work. The Fresh Products Branch of the 
Agricultural Marketing Service provides a nationwide inspection and 
grading service for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products to 
shippers, importers, processors, sellers, buyers and other financially 
interested parties on a ``user-fee'' basis. The use of this service is 
voluntary and is made available only upon request or when specified by 
some special program or contact.

[[Page 70690]]

    Need and Use of the Information: Various forms are used to collect 
information. Such information includes: the name and location of the 
person or company requesting the inspection, the type and location of 
the product to be inspected, the type of inspection being requested and 
any information that will identify the product. The information 
collected is needed to carry out the inspection and grading services.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.
    Number of Respondents: 51,800.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,416.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Report of Acreage.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0004.
    Summary of Collection: Land and crop information is the basic 
foundation upon which many of Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs 
operate. The report of acreage is conducted on an annual basis and is 
used by FSA's county offices to determine eligibility for benefits that 
are available to producers on the farm. The actual number of producers 
who must supply information varies depending on (1) the type of farming 
operation, and (2) the mix of crops planted (which has a direct 
relationship to the type of program the producer is eligible to 
participate in). In order to establish eligibility annually for these 
programs, a minimal amount of land and crop data about a producer's 
farming operation is required. The information is subsequently used to 
ensure compliance with program provisions, to determine actual 
production histories, and when disaster occurs, to verify crop loss. 
Producers must provide the information each year because variables such 
as previous year experience, weather projections, market demand, new 
farming techniques and personal preferences affect the amount of land 
being farmed, the mix of crops planted, and the projected harvest. FSA 
will collect information verbally from the producers during visits to 
the county offices.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect one or more of 
the following data elements, as required: crop planted, planting date, 
crop's intended use (e.g., fresh or processing), type or variety (e.g., 
sweet cherries or tart cherries), practice (irrigated or non-
irrigated), acres, location of the crop (tract and field), and the 
producer's percent share in the crop along with the names of other 
producers having an interest in the crop.
    Once the information is collected and eligibility established, the 
information is used throughout the crop year to ensure the producer 
remains compliant with program provisions. Without a certain level of 
information provided each crop year by the producer, a significant 
misuse of public funds could occur.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 650,175.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,462,894.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Disaster Food Stamp Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0336.
    Summary of Collection: Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act along 
with other related legislative authorities provide for the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish temporary emergency standards of eligibility 
for victims of a disaster so that food assistance can be obtained. This 
assistance becomes effective in areas designated as a ``major'' 
disaster in order to address temporary food needs of families affected. 
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is delegated the responsibility to 
administer the program and State agencies handle enrollment and general 
operation. In order to determine whether an individual is eligible for 
emergency food stamp assistance an application form must be completed. 
The State agencies must comply with certain reporting requirements to 
reconcile the distribution of food stamps and account for 
discrepancies.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS, through the State agencies, 
will collect information from the public to ensure that individuals who 
apply for emergency food stamps are eligible. Without information from 
these individuals, there would be no means for establishing whether 
assistance is warranted. State reporting requirements are necessary in 
order to ensure that States are accountable for the food stamp coupons 
it maintains and to avoid fraud, waste, and abuse in the Food Stamp 
Program.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 195,163.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 33,335.

Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-30074 Filed 11-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M