[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 59910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26366]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to request an extension for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the program for the Annual Survey of Farmer 
Cooperatives, as authorized in the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 19, 2003, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. Eldon Eversull, (Acting) Director, 
Statistics Staff, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3256, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3256, Telephone (202) 
690-1415 or send an e-mail message to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives.
    OMB Number: 0570-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) is to promote understanding, use and development of the 
cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the 
income of the agricultural producers and other rural residents. RBS' 
direct role is providing knowledge to improve the effectiveness and 
performance of farmer cooperative businesses through technical 
assistance, research, information, and education. The annual survey of 
farmer cooperatives collects basic statistics on cooperative business 
volume, net income, members, financial status, employees, and other 
selected information to support RBS' objective and role. Cooperative 
statistics are published in various reports and used by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, cooperative management, educators and others 
in planning and promoting the cooperative form of business.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour or less per response.
    Respondents: Farmer cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,766.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,685 Hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of the RBS' 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 forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulation and 
Paperwork Management ranch, support Services Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, Washington, DC 20250-
0742. 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.

    Dated: October 6, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26366 Filed 10-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P