[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4383-4387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2182]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 24, 2002.
    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 
Department 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.

[[Page 4384]]

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Livestock Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0005.
    Summary of Collection: 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. 
General authority for data collection activities is granted under U.S. 
Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statute specifies that the ``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 
Livestock survey is conducted annually to estimate livestock totals at 
State and county levels. Information from federally and non-federally 
inspected slaughter plants are used to estimate total red meat 
production.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will use a survey to collect 
information on the number of head slaughtered plus live and dressed 
weights of beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, goats, and equine. Accurate 
and timely livestock estimates provide USDA and the livestock industry 
with basic date to project future meat supplies and producer prices. 
Agricultural economists in both the public and private sectors use this 
information in economic analyses and research.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 58, 127.
    Frequency of Respondents: Reporting: Weekly; Monthly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 19,248.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Mink.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0212.
    Summary of Collection: 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. 
Statistics on mink production are published for the 15 major states 
that account for 95 percent of the U.S. production. There is no other 
source for this type of information. General authority for these data 
collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS collects information on mink 
pelts produced by color, number of females bred to produce kits the 
following year, number of mink farms, average marketing price, and the 
value of pelts produced. The data is disseminated by NASS in the Mink 
Report and is used by the U.S. Government and other groups.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 370.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 51.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Specialty Sugar Certificates.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0025.
    Summary of Collection: Provisions associated with Presidential 
Proclamation No. 4941 prevented the importation of certain refined 
sugars used for specialized purposes originating in countries that did 
not have quota allocations. This led the Secretary of Agriculture to 
announce a quota system requiring certificates for entering specialty 
sugar. In order to grant licenses, ensure that imported specialty sugar 
does not disrupt the current domestic support program, and maintain 
administrative control over the program, an application with certain 
specific information must be collected from those who wish to 
participate in the program established by the regulation. Accordingly, 
applicants must supply information in 15 CFR 2011.205 to be considered 
eligible for a certificate.
    Need and Use of the Information: Importers are required to supply 
specific information to the Secretary and the Foreign Agricultural 
Service, in order to be granted a certificate to import specialty 
sugar. The information is supplied to U.S. Customs officials in order 
to certify that the sugar being imported is ``specialty sugar.'' 
Without the collection of this information the Certifying Authority 
would not have any basis on which to make a decision on whether a 
certificate should be granted, and would not have the ability to 
monitor sugar imports under this program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profits; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 40.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1427-Regulations Governing CCC Nonrecourse Cotton 
Loan Programs for 1996 and Subsequent Crops.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0074.
    Summary of Collection: Nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for 
upland and extra long staple (ELS) cotton are authorized by sections 
113 through 134 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996 (the 1996 Act) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) 
Charter Act. The loans are implemented by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) 
under regulations at 7 CFR 1427.1 through 1427.26. Nonrecourse loans 
for upland cotton may be repaid at a reduced rate, but such loans for 
ELS cotton are repayable at principal plus interest. Producers 
requesting CCC cotton loans must provide information to verify 
eligiblity of themselves and the cotton being offered as loan 
collateral. FSA will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
determine loan quantities and principal amounts to administer the 
program and verify commodity and producer eligibility. Without the 
information from the producer, CCC could not carry out the statutory 
loan provisions.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 96,122.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 45,246.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Certification of Livestock Losses for Eligible Disaster.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0179.
    Summary of Collection: Under Public Law 106-387, Sec. 813 states 
``The Secretary shall use up to $10,000,000 of the funds of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation to make livestock indemnity payment to 
producers on a farm that have incurred livestock losses during calendar 
year 2000 due to a disaster, as determined by the Secretary, including 
losses due to fires and anthrax. Over the past several years, Congress 
has provided ad hoc funding under several appropriation bills to 
partially compensate producers who lost livestock because of natural 
diasters. Producers requesting compensation on CCC-661, Certificate of 
Livestock Losses for Eligible Disaster, must provide documentation to 
the Farm Service Agency (FSA) that shows the number and type of 
livestock lost in the disaster.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
determine eligibility and the amount of compensation. Without obtaining 
the information from the producers, FSA could not carry out the 
statutory provisions and ensure that funds are being provided to 
eligible producers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 4385]]

    Total Burden Hours: 5,000.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Specialty Crop Producers Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Risk Protection Act (ARPA) 
of 2000 requires the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to increase the 
availability of risk management tools with a priority given to 
producers of specialty crops. Specialty crops are generally defined as 
agricultural crops, except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, 
peanuts, and tobacco. Specialty crops include everything from the 
common fruits and vegetables to mushrooms and maple syrup. The first 
step in the development of appropriate risk management tools for 
specialty crop producers is obtaining information that will identify 
risk structures specific to specialty crop farmers and to specialty 
crop categories. The survey will identify the potential market for 
specialty crop insurance, and provide the data necessary to evaluate 
the options for new insurance programs for specialty crops.
    Need and Use of the Information: RMA will collect information to 
determine how a crop insurance program may be designed or adapted to 
meet the needs of specialty crop producers. The survey will enable the 
research partnership of RMA and the universities to develop a risk 
management profile of specialty crop producers. If the survey were not 
conducted, the development of risk management programs for specialty 
crop producers would be compromised.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 69,700.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one-time).
    Total Burden Hours: 32,526.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: 7 CFR 4279-B, Guaranteed Loan Making--Business and Industry 
Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0017.
    Summary of Collection: The Business and Industry (B&I) program was 
legislated in 1972 under section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act, as amended. The purpose of the program is to 
improve, develop, and finance businesses, industries, and employment 
and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural 
communities. This purpose is achieved through bolstering the existing 
private credit structure through the guaranteeing of quality loans made 
by lending institutions, thereby providing lasting community benefits. 
The B&I program is administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) through Rural Development State and sub-State offices 
serving each State. RBS will collect information using forms RD 4279-1, 
4279-2, 4279-3, 4279-4 and 4279-6.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information to 
determine lender and borrower eligibility and creditworthiness. The 
information is used by RBS loan officers and approval officials to 
determine program eligibility and for program monitoring.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 8, 875.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 20,813.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title Annual Survey of Cooperative Involvement in International 
Markets.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, 7 
U.S.C. 453(b)(5), authorizes the Rural Business-Cooperative Services 
(RBS) to acquire from all available sources, information concerning 
crop prospects, supply, demand, current receipts, exports, imports, and 
prices of agricultural products handled or marketed by cooperative 
associations, and to employ qualified commodity marketing specialists 
to summarize and analyze this information and disseminate the same 
among cooperative associations, and others.'' The mission of the 
Cooperative Services Program of RBS is to assist farmer-owned 
cooperatives in improving the economic well being of their farmer-
members. The facilitate the program's mission and activities as 
authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, RBS collects, 
maintains, and analyzes data pertaining to farmer cooperatives. 
Information is collected through an annual survey mailed to all 
cooperatives.
    Needs and Use of the Information: The information collected by RBS 
will be used to comply with the agency's mission to acquire and report 
such information. In addition to monitoring and reporting the progress 
of cooperatives in global markets, RBS will use the data in economic/
market research and will also produce educational materials about 
cooperatives.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 127.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours. 127.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Control Number 0572-0032.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was 
established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354, 108 
Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. et seq.) As successor to the Rural Electrification 
Administration (REA), RUS is responsible for administering the electric 
loan and loan guarantee programs authorized under the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act of 1936). The Administrator of RUS is 
authorized to make and guarantee loans to furnish and improve electric 
service in rural areas. These loans are amortized over a period of up 
to 35 years and secured by the borrower's electric assets. RUS will 
collect information including studies and reports to support borrower 
loan applications.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees 
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt 
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan 
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent 
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the 
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS 
program activities.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 680.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 65,673.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

    Title: Risk Protection Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0578-0028.
    Summary of Collection: The primary objective of the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with 
the American people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. The 
purpose of the Risk Protection Program is to provide NRCS program 
participants a method for making application for participation in the 
Agricultural Management Assistance and Soil and Water Conservation 
Assistance Program. The Risk Protection Program is authorized under the 
Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-224,

[[Page 4386]]

sections 133(b) and 211(b). NRCS is responsible for the administration 
of various conservation programs. Assistance is provided to land users 
to voluntarily develop plans and apply conservation treatments for 
those programs. NRCS will collect information using forms CCC-1200, 
Conservation Program Contract and CCC-1245, Practice Approval and 
Payment Application.
    Need and Use of the Information: NRCS will collect information to 
authorize the responsible federal official to make federal cost-share 
payments to the land user, or third party, upon successful application 
of the long-term conservation treatment. Without the information, funds 
appropriated by Congress could not be obligated or dispensed without 
the supporting information on either the Conservation Program Contract 
or the Practice Approval and Payment Authorization forms.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; Not-
for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Other (as required for 
assistance).
    Total Burden Hours: 2,917.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Certificate of Poultry and Hatching Eggs for Export.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0048.
    Summary of Collection: Certificate for Poultry and Hatching Eggs 
for Export is authorized by 21 U.S.C. 112 and 113. The regulation that 
implements this law is found in part 91 of Title 9, Code of Federal 
Regulations. The export of agricultural commodities, including poultry 
and hatching eggs, is a major business in the United States and 
contributes to a favorable balance of trade. As part of its mission to 
facilitate the export of U.S. poultry and poultry products, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, maintains information regarding 
the import health requirements of other countries for poultry and 
hatching eggs exported from the U.S. Most countries require a 
certification that our poultry and hatching eggs are disease free. 
APHIS will collect information on the quantity and type of poultry and 
hatching eggs designated for export, using form 17-6, Certificate for 
Poultry and Hatching Eggs for Export.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected prevents 
unhealthy poultry or disease-carrying hatching eggs from being exported 
from the United States, thereby preventing the international 
dissemination of poultry diseases. The collection of information also 
is necessary to satisfy the import requirements of the receiving 
countries, thereby protecting and encouraging trade with the United 
States.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Federal Government;State, Local 
or Tribal Government;Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,500.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: 9 CFR 85 Psuedorabies.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0070.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, is charged 
with taking actions deemed necessary to prevent the introduction or 
dissemination of any contagious infections or communicable disease of 
animals or poultry from one State or Territory of the United States to 
another. APHIS implements regulations that control and stop the 
escalating spread of psuedorabies, which is a herpes virus disease that 
affects many species of animal, but primarily swine. Regulating the 
interstate movement of swine requires the use of certain information 
gathering activities such as permits, certificates, and owner-shipper 
statements to ascertain the health status of the swine.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
by APHIS to monitor the health status of swine being moved, the number 
of swine being moved in a particular shipment, the shipment's point of 
origin, the shipment's destination, and the reason for the interstate 
movement. This information also provides APHIS officials with critical 
information concerning a shipment's history, which in turn enables 
APHIS to engage in swift, successful trace back investigations when 
infected swine are discovered.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Federal Government; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 30,050.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,092.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Child Nutrition Database.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0494.
    Summary of Collection: The Child Nutrition (CN) Database is a 
necessary component in implementation of USDA's Food and Nutrition 
Service (FNS) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast 
Program (SBP): School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children final rule 
published in the June 13, 1995 Federal Register, Volume 60, No. 113. 
The overriding purpose in NSLP and SBP initiatives is to serve more 
nutritious and healthful meals to school children. FNS has updated the 
regulations which established the specific nutrition criteria for 
reimbursable school meals incorporating the Recommended Dietary 
Allowances (RDA) issued by the Food and Nutrition Board, Commission on 
Life Sciences, National Research Council for key nutrients, energy 
allowances for calories, and the most current nutritional standards as 
outlined in the Dietary Guidelines. FNS will collect information using 
a database that contains information on the nutritional composition.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information on 
(1) USDA commodities; (2) USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 
food items which are used in the SBP and NSLP; (3) quantity recipes for 
school food service developed by USDA; and (4) brand name commercially 
processed foods. The information gathered for the CN Database is 
required to be used in software program approved by USDA for use in 
meeting the nutrient standards and nutrition goals of the Child 
Nutrition Program meal pattern. Both the States and program will use 
the information.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Frequency of Responses: Report: Other (as needed).
    Total Burden Hours: 2500.

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

    Title: Guidelines for Preparation of Research Proposals.
    OMB Control Number: 0580-0014.
    Summary of Collection: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) is responsible for establishment of grain 
standards which accurately describe the quality of grain being traded 
and for the uniform application of these standards in a nationwide 
inspection system. GIPSA maintains an external research program under 
which research scientists are invited to submit research grant 
proposals aimed at developing methods to improve accuracy and 
uniformity in

[[Page 4387]]

grading grain. Research grant proposals must include the objectives of 
the proposed work; application of the proposed work to the grain 
inspection system; the procedures, equipment, personnel, etc., that 
will be used to reach the project objectives; the costs of the project, 
a schedule for completion; qualifications of the investigator and the 
grantee organization; and a listing of all other sources of financial 
support for the project. Grant proposals may be submitted to GIPSA at 
anytime; however, a formal Research Coordination Team reviews the 
proposals twice a year.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
by GIPSA to determine the projects that would address the highest 
priority problems. The information is also critical for ensuring that 
the proposed projects are technically feasible and that the sponsoring 
organizations have the resources to support the project including 
personnel with the appropriate technical capabilities.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 80.

Sondra A. Blakey,
Department Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-2182 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M