[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26559-26563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12067]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 9, 2003.
    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.

[[Page 26560]]

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.

Economic Research Service

    Title: Estimating Consumer Benefits of Improving Food Safety.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the 
responsibility to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe for 
human consumption. The Economic Research Service (ERS) has the 
responsibility to conduct economic research on the economic benefits 
and costs of policies and program designed to reduce and prevent 
illnesses caused by microbial pathogens. ERS has estimated the cost of 
medical treatment and lost productivity and premature death from 
diseases caused by five microbial pathogens at $6.9 billion annually. 
These costs understate the true social costs of these illnesses since 
they do not measure the consumer's willingness to pay to prevent food 
borne disease. ERS will collect information using two surveys.
    Need and Use of the Information: ERS will collect information to 
determine (1) the extent to which a willingness to pay approach would 
boost assessments of the economic value of reductions in foodborne 
illnesses, and (2) to identify factors that influence consumers' 
valuation of these reductions, including personal and household 
characteristics, and information the consumer receives about foodborne 
illness.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 2,900.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Other (once and 3 times).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,950.

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0007.
    Summary of Collection: The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) 
is a voluntary Federal-State-industry mechanism for controlling certain 
poultry diseases and for improving poultry flocks and products through 
disease control techniques. The National Turkey Improvement Plan was 
combined with the NPIP in 1970 to create the NPIP, as it now exists. 
Emu, rhea, ostrich, and cassowary breeding flocks are also allowed 
participation in the plan. The effective implementation of the NPIP 
necessitates the use of several information collection activities, 
including sentinel bird identification, as well as the creation and 
submission of flock testing reports, sales reports, breeding flock 
participation summaries, hatchery participation summaries, salmonella 
investigation reports, salmonella serotyping requests, and small chick 
order printouts. Authority for this program is contained in the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
429). The cooperative work is carried out through a Memorandum of 
Understanding with the participating States.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected from 
various types of poultry breeders and flock owners to determine the 
number of eggs hatched and sold as well as to report outbreaks of 
diseases. This information allows APHIS officials to track, control, 
and prevent many types of poultry diseases.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 19,086.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 37,899.

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0036.
    Summary of Collection: The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 
(Pub. L. 89-544) enacted August 24, 1966, required the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, to regulate the humane care and handling of dog, cats, 
guinea pigs, hamster, rabbits, and nonhuman primates. The legislation 
was the result of extensive demand by organized animal welfare groups 
and private citizens requesting a Federal law covering the 
transportation, care, and handling of laboratory animals. The Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Regulatory Enforcement and 
Animal Care (AC) has the responsibility to enforce the Animal Welfare 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-2156) and the provisions of 9 CFR, Subchapter A, 
which implements the Animal Welfare Act. The purpose of the AWA is to 
insure that animal use in research facilities or exhibition purposes 
are provided humane care and treatment. APHIS will collect information 
using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect health 
certificates, program of veterinary care, application for license and 
record of acquisition, disposition and transportation of animals. The 
information is used to ensure those dealers, exhibitors, research 
facilities, carriers, etc., are in compliance with the Animal Welfare 
Act and regulations and standards promulgated under this authority of 
the Act.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 7,288.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 98,501.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

    Title: Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and 
Poultry Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-0094.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service. 
(FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of 
the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 
U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the 
public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, 
unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS requires that 
meat and poultry establishments exporting products to foreign countries 
complete an export certificate. Meat and poultry products not marked 
with the mark of inspection and shipped from one official establishment 
to another for further processing must be transported under FSIS seal 
to prevent such unmarked product from entering into commerce. To track 
product shipped under seal, FSIS requires shipping establishments to 
complete a form that identifies the type, amount, and weight of the 
product. Foreign countries exporting meat and poultry products to the 
U.S. must establish eligibility for importation of product into the 
U.S., and annually certify that their inspection systems are 
``equivalent to'' the U.S. inspection system. Meat and poultry products 
intended for import into the U.S. must be accompanied by a health 
certificate, signed by an official of the foreign government, stating 
that the products have been produced by certified foreign 
establishments.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to 
identify the type, amount, weight, destination, and originating country 
of the meat and poultry. FSIS will use the information to

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verify that a meat or poultry product intended for import has been 
prepared in a plant certified to prepare product for export to the U.S. 
FSIS will use the information from the forms in its annual Report to 
Congress.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 5,533.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 127,838.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 245 Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced 
Price Meals.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0026.
    Summary of Collection: Under the National School Lunch Program 
(NSLP), each school year food authorities distribute applications for 
free and reduce price meals benefits to households of enrolled 
children. Households who want to receive free and reduced price meal 
benefits for their children complete the information required on the 
application and return the application to the school food authority. As 
specified in 7 CFR 245.6a, school food authorities must verify the 
eligibility information on a sample of the free and reduced price meal 
applications approved in any given school year. Several data sources 
including the eligibility verification performed by school districts 
indicate that a significant and increasing number of ineligible 
children are being certified for free and reduced price meals benefits. 
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) amended the reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements relating to the verification of applications 
for free and reduced price meal benefits. School food authorities will 
be required to report verification activity and results to their 
respective State agencies. The State agencies will summarize and report 
school food authority level data to FNS.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information using 
various forms to evaluate the results in the context of State and 
nationwide data. The data collection will result in improvement of FNS 
understanding of the operations of the eligibility determination and 
verification process in the targeting of monitoring and technical 
assistance efforts and resources on areas of households with the 
likelihood of problems. Without the information NSLP integrity is 
compromised, Federal and State education funds are being mistreated, 
and FNS Audit/Financial Statements are jeopardized.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 4,260,544.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Biennially; 
Annually; Other (triennially).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,048,769.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Report of School Program Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0280.
    Summary of Collection: The National School Lunch Act, as amended, 
authorizes the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Children, which 
is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The purpose of 
the SFSP is to provide nutrition meals to children from low-income 
areas during periods when schools are not in session. Information is 
gathered from state agencies and other organizations wishing to 
participate in the program to determine eligibility. If selected, 
additional reporting requirements apply to determine the amount of 
meals served and other program volume information. FNS uses a variety 
of forms to collect information.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS uses the information collected 
to determine an organization's eligibility, to monitor program 
performance for compliance and reimbursement purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; Not-for-
profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 76,737.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 328,068.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Floriculture Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0093.
    Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National 
Agricultural Statistics (NASS) is to prepare current official State and 
national estimates of crop and livestock production. Since 1985 
Congress has provided funds to conduct an annual Commercial 
Floriculture Survey that provides basic data on this important and 
growing industry. General authority for these data collection 
activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This 
statute specifies that ``The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and 
preserve all information concerning agriculture which can be obtain by 
the collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among 
agriculturists''. The floriculture industry accounts for about 7 
percent of agricultural cash receipts at the U.S. level. A survey is 
conducted in 36 states, which ensures 97 percent coverage of the U.S. 
value of production.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to 
assess alternative agriculture opportunities. Data from the survey will 
provide statistics for Federal and State agencies to monitor the use of 
agricultural chemicals. If the information is not collected, data users 
could not keep abreast of changes.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 13,700.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,587.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. In 
addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS' main 
objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid. RUS 
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq., as amended, (RE ACT) and as prescribed 
by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for 
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, which states that 
agencies must, based on a review of a loan application, determine that 
an applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative 
eligibility requirements for loan assistance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS borrower will use form 369, 
Request for Approval to sell capital assets, to seek agency permission 
to sell some of its assets. The form is used to collect detailed 
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrower's 
systems. RUS will collect information to determine whether or not the 
agency should approve a sale and to keep track of what property exists 
to secure the loan. If the information in Form 369 is not collected 
when capital assets are sold, the capital assets securing the 
Government's loans could be liquidated and the Government's security 
either eliminated entirely or diluted to an undesirable level.

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    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 15.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations 7 CFR Part 1717, 
Subpart R and S.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq., as amended, authorizes and empowers the 
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans in the 
several States and territories of the United States for rural 
electrification and the furnishing electric energy to persons in rural 
areas who are not receiving central station service. The RE Act also 
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial 
assistance to borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by 
accommodating or subordinating loans made by the National Rural 
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, 
and other lending agencies.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will used the information to 
determine an applicant's eligibility for a lien accommodation or lien 
subordination under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers 
with debt covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect 
loan security; and subsequently to granting the lien accommodation of 
lien subordination, administer each so as to minimize its cost to the 
Government. If the information were not collected, RUS would not be 
able to accomplish their statutory goals.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 6.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 19.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart D, Mergers and Consolidations of Electric 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0114.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, 
water and waste and water facilities in rural areas. Loan programs are 
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal 
Credit Programs and Non-tax Receivable, states that agencies must base 
on a review of a loan application determine that an applicant complies 
with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements 
for loan assistance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
streamline procedures and allow borrowers the flexibility to meet new 
business challenges and opportunities. The information is necessary for 
RUS to conduct business with successor entity while protecting the 
security of Government loans and avoiding defaults and to grant merger 
approval when required.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 18.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 184.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1944-N, ``Housing Preservation GrantProgram''.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0115.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is 
authorized to make grants to eligible applicants to provide repair and 
rehabilitation assistance so that very low and low-income rural 
residents can obtain adequate housing. Such assistance is made by 
grantees to very low and low-income persons, and to co-ops. Grant funds 
are used by grantees to make loans, grants, or other comparable 
assistance to eligible homeowners, rental unit owners, and co-ops for 
repair and rehabilitation of dwellings to bring them up to code or 
minimum property standards. These grants were established by Public Law 
98-181, the Housing Urban Rural Recovery Act of 1983, which amended the 
Housing Act of 1949 (Pub. L. 93-383).
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
determine eligibility for a grant to justify its selection of the 
applicant for funding; to report program accomplishments and to justify 
and support expenditure of grant funds. RHS uses the information to 
determine if the grantee is complying with its grant agreement and to 
make decisions regarding continuing with modifying, or terminating 
grant assistance. If the information is not collected and presented to 
RHS, the Agency could not monitor the program or justify disbursement 
of grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Individuals or households; State, Local or Tribal 
Government
    Number of Respondents: 2,050.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,814.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Customer Service Survey for USDA--Donated FoodProducts.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0193.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide consumers with 
voluntary Federal meat grading and certification services that 
facilitate the marketing of meat and meat products. These services are 
provided under the authority of 7 CFR part 54--Meats, Prepared Meats, 
and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards). An annual 
customer service survey is used to gather information from its 
customers to determine the quality of service provided. Once an 
applicant request services, there is no way to determine the quality of 
service that is provided.
    Need and Use of the Information: Agricultural Marketing Service 
will collect information to evaluate services and assist in planning 
and managing the program. The information from the survey is strictly 
voluntary and will be used to continually improve the services.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other-for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 450.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 32.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Program--Store Applications.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0008.
    Summary of Collection: Section 9(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
as amended, (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) requires retail food stores to 
submit applications to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for 
approval prior to participating in the Food Stamp Program. FNS field 
offices review retailer applications to ensure that the store is 
eligible and then authorize or deny a store to accept and redeem Food 
Stamp Program benefits. The need to collect information is established 
under the Act to determine the eligibility of retail food stores, 
wholesale food concerns, and food service organizations applying for 
authorization to accept and

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redeem food stamp benefits, to monitor these firms for continued 
eligibility, to sanction stores for non-compliance with the Act, and 
for program management. FNS will collect information using forms FNS-
252, Food Stamp Program Application for Store, and FNS 252-2, Meal 
Service Application.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
determine a firm's eligibility for participation in the Food Stamp 
Program, program administration, compliance monitoring, investigations, 
and for sanctioning stores found to be violating the program. FNS is 
also responsible for requiring updates to application information and 
reviewing that information to determine whether or not the retail food 
store, wholesale food concern, or food service organization continues 
to meet eligibility requirements. Owners Employer Identification 
Numbers (EIN) and Social Security Numbers (SSN) may be disclosed to and 
used by Federal agencies or instrumentalities that otherwise gave 
access to EINs and SSNs. FNS and other Federal Government agencies 
examine such information during compliance reviews, audit review, 
special studies or evaluation efforts.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 34,888.
    Frequency of Responses: Third party disclosure; Reporting: On 
occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 7,309.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-12067 Filed 5-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P