[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58106-58112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28890]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 14, 2001.
    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 10413. 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: Patent License Applications.
    OMB Control Number: 0518-0003.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agricultural patent 
licensing program grants patent licenses to qualified businesses and 
individuals who wish to commercialize inventions arising from federally 
supported research. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) overseas 
licensing of federally owned inventions which must be done in 
accordance with terms, conditions, and procedures prescribed under 37 
CFR part 404. Application information must be collected to identify the 
business or individual desiring the patent license along with a plan 
for the development and marketing of the invention and a description of 
the applicant's ability to fulfill the plan.
    Need and use of the Information: Using form AD-761, ARS will 
collect a detailed description for development and/or marketing of the 
invention and identifying information on the applicant and the 
business. The information collected is used to determine whether the 
applicant has both a complete and sufficient plan for developing and 
marketing the invention and the necessary manufacturing, marketing, 
technical, and financial resources to carry out the submitted plan.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 225.

Agricultural Research Service

    Title: Use of Facilities or the Performance of Photography/
Cinematography at the U.S. National Arboretum.
    OMB Control Number: 0518-0024.
    Summary of Collection: The mission of the U.S. National Arboretum 
(USNA) is to conduct research, provide education, and conserve and 
display

[[Page 58107]]

trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plans to enhance the environment. The 
USNA is a 446-acres public facility and the grounds are available to 
the general public for purposes of education and passive recreation. 
The USNA has many spectacular feature and garden displays which are 
very popular to visitors and photographers. Section 890(b) of the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-107 
(``FAIR ACT'') provided statutory authorities regarding the 
USNA These authorities include the ability to charge fees 
for temporary use by individuals or groups of USNA facilities and 
grounds for any purpose consistent with the mission of USNA. Also, the 
authority was provided to charge fees for the use of the USNA for 
commercial photography and cinematography.
    Need and Use of the Information: USNA use the information to 
determine if the requestor's needs can be met and that the request is 
consistent with the mission and goals of the USNA. If the basic 
information is not collected USNA officials will not be able to 
determine if the requestor's needs can be met.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 220.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 53.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Cold Storage.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0001.
    Summary of Collection: The primary objective of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue state 
and national estimates of crop and livestock production. The monthly 
Cold Storage Survey provides information on national supplies of food 
commodities in refrigerated storage facilities and is used as part of 
the country's preparedness in case of a national emergency. The data 
will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). This statute 
specifies ``The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all 
information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * *. by the 
collection of statics * * * and shall distribute them among 
agriculturists.''
    Need and use of the Information: USDA agencies such as the World 
Agricultural Outlook Board, Economic Research Service, and Agricultural 
Marketing Service use the information from the Cold Storage report in 
setting and administering government commodity programs and in supply 
and demand analysis. Included in the report are 100 food items and 
stocks figures that are used by food processors, food brokers, and 
farmers in making production, marketing and pricing decisions. The 
timing and frequency of the survey have evolved to meet the needs of 
producers, facilities, agribusinesses, and government agencies.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,367.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthy; Annually; Biennially.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,362.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Field Crops Production.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0002.
    Summary of Collection: One of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Services' (NASS) primary functions is to prepare and issue current 
State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. To help 
set these estimates, field crops production data is collected. NASS 
will collect information through the use of mail, telephone, and 
personnel interview surveys.
    Need and use of the Information: NASS collects information on field 
crops to monitor agricultural developments across the country that may 
impact on the nation's food supply. The Secretary of Agriculture uses 
estimates of crop production to administer farm program legislation and 
to make decisions relative to the export-import programs. Collecting 
this information less frequently would eliminate the data needed to 
keep the Department abreast of changes at the State and national level.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 600,951.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 122,344.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Agricultural Prices.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0003.
    Summary of Collection: Estimates of prices received by farmers and 
prices paid for production goods and services are needed by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service 
(NASS), to compute parity prices in accordance with requirements of the 
Agricutural Adjustment act of 1938 as amended (Title III, subtitle A, 
section 301a) and estimate value of production, inventory values, and 
cash receipts from farming. Determine the level for farmer owned 
reserves and provide guidelines for Risk Management Agency price 
selection options and determine Federal disaster prices to be paid and 
the grazing fee on Federal lands. General authority for these data 
collection activities is granted under U.S.C. Title 7, section 2204. 
This statute specifies ``The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and 
preserve all information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * 
* by the collection of statistics and shall distribute them among 
agriculturalists.''
    Need and use of the Information: The NASS price program computes 
annual U.S. weighted average prices received by farmers for wheat, 
barley, corn, oats, grain sorghum, rice, and cotton based on monthly 
marketing. The indexes are used in computing the parity prices that 
NASS is required by statute to publish monthly. Parity prices are used 
to establish and maintain Federal Market Orders. The Agricultural 
Marketing Service uses various State milk-marketing orders, prices paid 
indexes, and import prices for determining State or local support milk 
prices.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 26,748.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Monthly; Annually; 
Biennially.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,564.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Fruits, Nut, and Specialty Crops.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0039.
    Summary of Collection: U.S.C. Title 7, section 2204, specifies that 
``The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all 
information concerning agriculture which he can obtain by the 
collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among 
agriculturists.'' The primary function of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official 
State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. 
Estimates of fruit, tree nuts, and specialty crops are an integral part 
of this program. These estimates support the NASS strategic plan to 
annually cover 99% of all agricultural receipts. Information is 
collected on a voluntary basis from growers, processors, and handlers 
through surveys.
    Need and use of the Information: Data reported on fruit, nut, and 
Hawaii tropical crops are used by NASS to estimate acreage, yield, 
production, utilization, and crop value in States with significant 
commercial production. These estimate are essential to farmers, 
processors, and handlers in making production and marketing decisions. 
Estimates from these inquiries are used by market order administrators 
in their determination of expected supplies of

[[Page 58108]]

crop under federal and State market orders as well as competitive 
fruits and nuts.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 59,797.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually; 
Quarterly; Semi-annually; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 8,794.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and 
Interest.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to adding 
procedures and conditions under which borrowers may request extensions 
of the payment of principal and interest. RUS electric program provides 
loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest rates and terms that 
are more favorable than those generally available for the private 
sector. As a result of obtaining federal financing, RUS borrowers 
receive economic benefits that exceed any direct economic costs 
associated with complying with (RUS) regulations and requirements. The 
authority for these extensions is contained in Section 12 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended and Section 236 of the 
``Disaster Relief Act of 1970, as amended by the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.''
    Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information 
occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and 
interest. Eligible purposes include financial hardship energy resource 
conservation loans, renewable energy project,, and contributions-in-aid 
of construction. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to 
borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their 
repayment of taxpayer's monies.
    Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 90.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 784.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR, Part 1955-B Management of Property.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0110.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Rural 
Business Cooperative Service (RBS) programs are administered under the 
provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(CONTACT), as amended. FSA Farm Loan Program (FLP) provides supervised 
credit in the form of loans to family farmers and ranchers to purchase 
land and finance agricultural production. The Rural Housing Service 
(RHS) provides credit in the form of Multi-Family Housing loans and 
Community Facility loans. The RBS program is designed to improve, 
develop or finance business industry and employment and improve the 
economic and environmental climate in rural communities. These agencies 
must collect information on real property taken into custody and 
chattel property in the agency's inventory.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information is obtained from 
farmers, ranchers and rural residents and submitted to the local FSA or 
Rural Development Office where it is used to track and monitor real and 
chattel property. This information is required to prevent losses to the 
Government when security property is abandoned or to comply with the 
provisions of the CONTACT and congressional intent of assuring that 
acquired properties are sold to beginning farmers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profits; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 292.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 136.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds and Poultry; Chlamydiosis 
in Poultry.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0116.
    Summary of Collection: Title 21, U.S.C. authorizes the Department 
of Agriculture and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) to take necessary actions to prevent, control and eliminate 
domestic diseases, and to manage non-domestic diseases such as Exotic 
Newcastle Disease (END) and Chlamydiosis. Disease prevention is the 
most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and 
for enhancing APHIS ability to compete in the world market of animals 
and animal product trade.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
through the use of documents attesting to the health status of the 
birds or poultry being moved, the number and types of birds or poultry 
being moved in a particular shipment, the shipment's point of origin, 
the shipment's designation, and the reason for the interest movement. 
These documents also provide useful ``trackback'' information in the 
event an infected bird or chicken is discovered and an investigation 
must be launched to determine where the bird or chicken originated. The 
information provided by these documents is critical to APHIS ability to 
prevent the interstate spread of END, which is highly contagious and 
capable of causing significant economic harm to the U.S. poultry 
industry.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 57.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 34.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Asian Long Horned Beetle Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0122.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture is responsible for 
preventing plant pest and noxious weeds from entering the United 
States, preventing the spread of pests and weeds not widely distributed 
in the United States, and eradicating those imported pests and weeds 
when eradication is feasible. Section 415 of the Plant Protection Act 
(7 U.S.C. 7715) provides authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to 
quarantine any State, Territory, or District of the United States to 
prevent the spread of insect pests and plant diseases (such as Asian 
Long Horned Beetle) that are new to the United States, or not widely 
distributed throughout the United States. The Asian Long horned beetle 
is a destructive pest of hardwood trees including apple, cherry, pear, 
and citrus, and of forest trees. The beetle bore into the heartwood of 
host trees; eventually killing them.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
control and monitor the movement of the Asian long horned beetle. If 
the information were not collected the effectiveness of the Asian Long 
Horned Beetle Quarantine would be severely compromised.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for profit; 
State, Local, or Tribal Government; Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 225.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 132.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Fruits and Vegetables.

[[Page 58109]]

    OMB Control Number: 0579-0128.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture is responsible for 
preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United 
States. Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act (7 U.S.C. 159) authorizes 
the Secretary of Agriculture to determine whether the unrestricted 
importation of any plants, fruits, vegetables, roots, bulbs, seeds, or 
other plant products not included by the term ``nursery stock'' will 
result in the introduction of plant diseases or insect pests into the 
United States, and to then specify which of these products will be 
subject to the provisions of section 1 of the Plant Quarantine Act. 
Before entering the United States all fruits and vegetables are subject 
to inspection and disinfections at their port of first arrival to 
ensure that no plant pests are inadvertently brought into the United 
States.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using the Phytosanitary Certificate to ensure that fruits and 
vegetables can be imported into the United States with minimal risk of 
introducing exotic plants pests such as fruit flies and leek moths. 
Without this information APHIS would need to inspect each and every 
shipment very thoroughly to ensure that no pests were accompanying the 
shipment.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; State, 
Local, or Tribal Government; Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 501.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Hass Avocado.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0129.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture is responsible for 
preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United 
States, preventing the spread of pests not widely distributed in the 
United States, and eradicating those imported when eradication is 
feasible. The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7707) and the Organic Act 
(7 U.S.C. 147a) authorizes APHIS to carry out this mission. APHIS will 
collect information from a variety of individuals, both within and 
outside of the United States, who are involved in growing, packing, 
handling, transporting, and importing foreign logs, trees, shrubs, and 
other articles. Currently there are regulations that allow fresh Hass 
Avocado fruit grown in approved orchards in Michoacan, Mexico to be 
imported into the United states under certain conditions.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using forms PPQ 519, Compliance Agreement, and PPQ 587, Permits. The 
information collected will ensure that fresh Hass Avocados from Mexico 
do not harbor exotic insect pests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; State, 
Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 380.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 443.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Tomatoes from France, Morocco, and Western 
Sahara, Chile, and Spain.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0131.
    Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture is responsible 
for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United 
States, as well as the spread of pests not widely distributed in the 
United States, and eradicating those imported when eradication is 
feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Organic Act authorizes the 
Department to carry out this mission. 7 CFR 319.56 thru 319.56-8 
prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the 
United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the 
introduction and dissemination of plant pests, including fruit flies. 
These regulations allow tomatoes from Spain, Chile, France, Morocco, 
and Western Sahara to be imported into the United States (subject to 
certain conditions).
    Need and Use of the Information: The Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect information using the 
phytosanitary certificate certifying that the tomatoes were grown in 
registered greenhouses in a specified area of the exporting country. If 
the information were not collected, APHIS' ability to protect the 
United States from exotic insect pests would be severely compromised.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 34.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1704.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Mexicali Valley-Karnal Bunt.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0132.
    Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture is responsible 
for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United 
States, preventing the spread of pests not widely distributed in the 
United States, and eradicating those imported when eradication is 
feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal Plant Pest Act 
authorizes the Department to carry out this mission. The Plant 
Protection and Quarantine Program of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) are responsible for implementing the 
regulations that carry out the intent of the Act. Wheat and other 
wheat-related articles offered for entry from the Karnal Bunt free zone 
of the Mexicali Valley would need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the Mexican plant protection authorities. This 
certificate would state that the wheat or other articles were grown in 
the designated Karnal Bunt free area of the Mexicali Valley.
    Need and use of the information: The collected information 
contained on the signed phytosanitary certificate by Mexico's national 
plant protection official is used to ensure that wheat imported into 
the U.S. is free of Karnal Bunt. If the information is not collected 
introduction of Karnal Bunt into the United States could cause millions 
of dollars in damage to U.S. wheat crops, as well as additional 
millions of dollars to eradicate.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 120.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: BSE--Certificate of Origin.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0183.
    Summary of Collection: These authorities: sections 111, 114, 114a, 
115, 120, 121, 125, 126, 134a, 134c, 134f, and 134g of Title 21, 
U.S.C., permit the Secretary of Agriculture to prevent, control and 
eliminate domestic diseases such as brucellosis as well as manage 
exotic diseases such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and 
other foreign animal diseases. BSE is a neurological disease of bovine 
animals and other ruminants and is not known to exist in the United 
States. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining 
a healthy animal population and enhancing the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service

[[Page 58110]]

(APHIS) ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products.
    Need and use of the Information: APHIS will collect the applicant's 
name, address, the name and address of the individual who is exporting 
the material or product, the type and amount of material or product 
being shipped, the intended use of the material or product, and the 
origin and destination points of the material or product being shipped 
using form VS-16-3, Import Permit Application. The information 
contained in the VS form 16-3 enables APHIS to determine whether the 
shipment qualifies for import into the United States. Without the 
information it would be impossible for APHIS to effectively prevent 
BSE-contaminated animal products from entering the United States.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,494.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements and Addition of 
Rust-Resistant Varieties.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0186.
    Summary of Collection: The Plant Protection Act gives the Secretary 
of Agriculture the responsibility for preventing plant diseases or 
insect pests from entering the United States, preventing the spread of 
pests not widely distributed in the United States, and eradicating 
those imported pests when eradication is feasible. Black Stem Rust is 
one of the most destructive plant diseases of small grains that are 
known to exist in the United States. A fungus that reduces the quality 
and yield of infected wheat, oat, barley, and rye crops by robbing host 
plants of food and water.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
prevent the spread of black stem rust by providing for and requiring 
the accurate identification of rust-resistant varieties by inspectors.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 32.

Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration

    Title: Report and Recordkeeping Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0580-0013.
    Summary of Collection: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) is mandated to provide, upon request, 
inspection, certification, and identification services related to 
assessing the class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural 
products shipped or received in interstate and foreign commerce. 
Applicants requesting GIPSA services must specify the kind and level of 
service desired, the identification of the product, the location, the 
amount, and other pertinent information in order that official 
personnel can efficiently respond to their needs.
    Need and Use of the Information: GIPSA employees use the 
information to guide them in the performance of their duties. 
Additionally, producers, elevator operators, and/or merchandisers who 
obtain official inspection, testing, and weighing services are required 
to keep records related to the grain or commodity for three years. 
Personnel who provide official inspection, testing, and weighing 
services are required to maintain records related to the lot of grain 
or related commodity for a period of five years. The information is 
used for the purpose of investigating suspected violations.
    Descriptions of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2,372.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion, 
Weekly, Monthly, Semi-annually, Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 396,937.

Agricultural Marketing Service--Farm Service Agency

    Title: Pricing Pilot Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0190.
    Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Appropriations Act 1999 on 
November 29, 1999 (Public Law 106-113 (113 Stat. 1536, Section 
1001(a)(8))) mandated the implementation of a Dairy Forward Pricing 
Pilot Program. The Dairy Forward Pricing Pilot Program became effective 
on July 19, 2000. The program permits a handler to pay producers or 
cooperative associations a negotiated price, rather than the minimum 
Federal order price, for milk that is under forward contract, provided 
that such milk does not exceed the handler's non-fluid use of milk for 
the month. This is voluntary program and only applies to federally 
regulated milk that is not packaged for fluid use.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will use questionnaires to 
conduct a study of forward contracting under the pilot program to 
determine the impact on milk prices paid to producers in the United 
States. The study is due to Congress no later than April 30, 2002. The 
information collected from the questionnaires will identify 
participants' size, availability of contracts, sources of information 
utilized to make decisions, and impacts on business operations; and AMS 
will review summarize, and evaluate the different types of contracts 
that have been written under the pilot program. If the information is 
not collected, the Department will not be able to determine the extent 
of the impact of the forward contract has had on milk prices paid to 
producers.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 8000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Other (one time).
    Total Burden Hours: 3,275.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Employment and Training (E&T) Program Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0339.
    Summary of Collection: The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 
105-33), enacted on August 5, 1997, modified the Employment and 
Training (E&T) Program so that States' efforts are now focused on a 
particular segment of the food stamp population-abled-bodied adults 
without dependents (ABAWDs). Section 6(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
and 7 CFR 273.7 require each food stamp household member who is not 
exempt shall be registered for employment by the State agency at the 
time of application and once every twelve months thereafter, as a 
condition of eligibility. This requirement pertains to all household 
members over the age of 15 and under the age of 60. Each State agency 
must screen each work registrant to determine whether to refer the 
individual to its E&T Program. States' E&T Programs are federally 
funded through an annual E&T grant that is funded based on the number 
of food stamp recipients registered for work in that state. Both the 
Food Stamp Act and regulations require States to file quarterly reports 
about their E&T Programs so that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
can monitor their performance.
    Need and use of the Information: FNS will collect information from 
the States on E&T program statistics and waiver exemptions for ABAWDs 
on a quarterly basis using form FNS-583, E&T Program Report. FNS needs 
this information to work with the States throughout the year to ensure 
they do not exceed their ABAWDs exemption allocation and to make 
preliminary adjustments prior to the end of the year so States can plan 
accordingly. The information will help FNS monitor program performance 
and

[[Page 58111]]

evaluate whether the component costs need adjustments in future years.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 3,386,325.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 190,541.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: The Prime Vendor Pilot Project Evaluation.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will 
implement a data collection phase for the evaluation of the Prime 
Vendor Pilot Project. The Prime Vendor Pilot Project is a pilot of the 
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The food 
Stamp Act of 1977 requires that a food distribution program be 
established on an Indian reservation, if an Indian Tribal Organization 
(ITO) requests it. If an ITO is capable, it may administer the program 
instead of a state agency. Currently, FDPIR is operated through a 
partnership between FNS and 94 ITO's and 6 states' distributing 
agencies. Eligibility criteria for receiving benefits include residence 
in a participating reservation and meeting income and resource 
eligibility criteria.
    Need and use of the Information: FNS will collect information using 
a questionnaire. The information collected will determine whether the 
Prime Vendor System will improve food delivery service and reduce cost 
to both USDA and the ITO's that are receiving multi-food shipments in 
the FNS Midwest Region. If this information is not collected, USDA 
agencies will have no information to determine if the pilot is 
feasible, whether it results effective food delivery to ITO's.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 23.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 23.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0158.
    Summary of Collection: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts, 
prescribes the policies and procedures for disbursing loan and grant 
funds, establishing and closing supervised accounts, and placing Multi-
Family housing reserve accounts in supervised accounts. Supervised 
accounts are accounts with a financial institution in the names of a 
borrower and the United States Government, represented by Rural Housing 
Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Utilities Service, 
or Farm Service Agency (Agency). Also, the regulation outlines who uses 
supervised accounts; when they are used; and how they are established, 
monitored, and closed.
    Need and Use of the Information: The agency's state and field 
offices will collect information from borrowers and financial 
institutions and use the information to monitor compliance with agency 
regulations governing supervised accounts, such as establishing, 
maintaining, and withdrawing funds. In addition, the information will 
be used to ensure that the borrowers operate on a sound basis and use 
the loan and grant funds for authorized purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 26,260.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Reporting Requirements Under the Regulations Governing 
Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetable and 
Related Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0123.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
U.S.C. 1622(h)) requires and directs the Department of Agriculture to 
promulgate rules and regulations to carry out voluntary inspection and 
grading services of processed fruits and vegetables on a fee for 
service basis. The regulations governing Inspection and Certification 
of processed Fruit and Vegetables and Related Products (7 CFR 52) 
authorizes the collection of information to assure that the products 
sampled, inspected, graded and certified are actually the products 
requested to be sampled and inspected.
    Need and use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) uses the data collected for grading and certification purposes 
and for hiring licensed samplers. The following forms are used by AMS 
for information collection: FV-159, Application for Inspection of 
Unofficially Submitted Samples of Food Products, the information 
collected is used to determine the purpose for which the inspection is 
desired for unofficially submitted samples. FV-356, Application for 
Inspection and Certificate of Sampling, the information is used to fill 
in the respondent's name and address, and to describe the containers, 
the location code marks and the number of containers in the lot. FV-
468, Application for License to Sample Processed Foods, the information 
collected is used to hire prospective employees desiring to become 
licensed to sample processed foods and to certify as to the 
identification, location, kinds and condition of containers of 
processed products that are sampled.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,672.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 32,366.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The authority for Lamb Promotion, Research, 
and Information Order is established under the Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996. These programs carry out 
projects relating to research, consumer information, advertising, 
producer information, market development, and product research with the 
goal of maintaining and expanding their existing markets and uses and 
strengthening their position in the marketplace.
    Need and Use of the Information: Various forms were designed to 
collect and remit assessments to the Board, to certify organizations, 
to select nominees and certify nominating organizations, and use for 
reporting. The information requested on the forms is the minimum 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
program, is necessary to fulfill the intent of the ACT. Also, the 
information is not available from other sources because it relates 
specifically to individual lamb producers, feeders, seedstock 
producers, exporters and first handlers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 68,112.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 66,547.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Sugar Imported to be Re-exported in Refined Form, in Sugar-
containing Products, or used in Production of Certain Polyhydric 
Alcohols.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0015.
    Summary of Collection: Regulation 7 CFR part 1530 authorizes the 
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to issue import licenses to enter 
raw cane sugar (exempt from the tariff-rate quota for the raw cane 
sugar imports and the related requirements) on the condition that an

[[Page 58112]]

equivalent quantity of refined sugar be: (1) Exported as refined sugar; 
(2) exported as an ingredient in sugar containing products; or (3) used 
in production of certain polyhydric alcohols. The purpose of the sugar 
import licensing program is to assist U.S. sugar manufacturers, 
refiners, and processors in making U.S. products price competitive on 
the world market; and facilitate the use of domestic refining capacity.
    Need and use of the Information: FAS will collect information to: 
(1) Determine whether applicants for the program meet the Regulation's 
eligibility criteria; (2) monitor sugar imports, transfers, exports, 
and use in order to confirm that transactions are conducted and 
completed within the requirements of the Regulations; (3) audit 
participants' compliance with the Regulation; and (4) prevent entry of 
world-priced program sugar from entering the higher-priced domestic 
commercial sugar market. The information collected is needed by the 
Sugar Licensing Authority to manage, plan, evaluate, and account for 
program activities.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 250.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,377.

Sondra A. Blakey,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-28890 Filed 11-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M