[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77960-77961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32120]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


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

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request and extension for, and revision to, currently approved 
information collections in support of the Foreign Market Development 
Cooperation (Cooperator) Program and the Market Access Program (MAP) 
based on re-estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 18, 2003.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Director, Marketing 
Operations Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1042, 
(202) 720-4327.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program and Market 
Access Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-26 and 0551-0027, respectively. These will be 
combined into OMB Number 0551-0026 if this request is approved.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2003, for the Foreign Market 
Development Cooperator Program and June 30, 2003, for the Market Access 
Program.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved 
information collections, with change to combine 0551-0026 (Foreign 
Market Development Cooperator Program) and 0551-0027 (Market Access 
Program).
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Foreign Market Development 
Cooperator Program and the Market Access Program is to encourage and 
aid in the creation, maintenance and expansion of commercial export 
markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-share assistance to 
eligible trade organizations. The programs are a cooperative effort 
between CCC and the eligible trade organizations. Currently, there are 
about 70 organizations participating directly in the programs with 
activities in more than 100 countries.
    Prior to initiating program activities, each Cooperator or MAP 
participant must submit a detailed application to Foreign Agricultural 
Service (FAS) which includes an assessment of overseas market 
potential; market or country strategies, constrains, goals and 
benchmarks; proposed market development activities; estimated budgets; 
and performance measurements. Prior years' plans often dictate the 
content of current year plans because many activities are continuations 
of previous activities. Each Cooperator or MAP 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) progress reports/
evaluation studies. Cooperators, or MAP participants must maintain 
records on all information submitted to FAS. The information collected 
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 21 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit trade organizations, state groups, 
cooperatives, and commercial entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 71.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 62.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 91,442 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.

[[Page 77961]]

    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: 
Director, Marketing Operations Staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042. 
Facsimile submissions may be sent to (202) 720-9361 and electronic mail 
submissions should be addressed to: [email protected].
    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 record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, December 16, 2002.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 02-32120 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M