[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 12 (Friday, January 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 2496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1039]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public 
Law 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request an extension of a currently approved information collection, 
the Floriculture and Nursery Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 24, 2003, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Floriculture and Nursery Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0093.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The objective of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop 
and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Floriculture and 
Nursery Survey is conducted in 36 States and obtains basic agricultural 
statistics on production and value of floriculture and nursery 
products. The retail and wholesale quantity and value of sales are 
collected for fresh cut flowers, potted flowering plants, foliage 
plants, annual bedding/garden plants, herbaceous perennials, cut 
cultivated florist greens, propagative floriculture material, and 
unfinished plants. Additional detail on area in production, operation 
value of sales, and agricultural workers is included. These statistics 
are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer 
programs and by growers and marketers in making production and 
marketing decisions.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance 
Officer, at (202) 720-5778.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (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.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed in Washington, DC, November 19, 2002.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-1039 Filed 1-16-03; 8:45 am]
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