[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13861]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 117 / Friday, June 18, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 34119]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. LS-04-07]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension of a currently 
approved information collection used to compile and generate the 
livestock and meat market reports for the Livestock and Grain Market 
News Branch of the Livestock and Seed Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 17, 2004 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Jimmy A. Beard; Assistant to the 
Chief; Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0252; Room 2619-S; 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0252; Phone (202) 720-8054; Fax (202) 690-
3732; e-mailed to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, or e-mailed to [email protected]. State 
that your comments refer to Docket No. LS-04-07. All comments received 
will be available for public inspection at this address during the 
hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on the Internet at 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John E. Van Dyke, Chief, Livestock and 
Grain Market News Branch, AMS, USDA, by telephone on (202) 720-4846, or 
via e-mail at: [email protected]; or Jimmy A. Beard, Assistant to 
the Chief, LiIvestock and Grain Market News Branch, AMS, USDA, by 
telephone on (202) 720-8054, or e-mail at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Livestock and Meat Market Reports.
    OMB Number: 0581-0154.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 02-28-2005.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, et 
seq.) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination of 
marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    Under this market news program, AMS issues market news reports 
covering the livestock and meat trade, which encompasses a wide range 
of industry contacts, including packers, processors, producers, 
brokers, and retailers. These reports are compiled on a voluntary 
basis, in cooperation with the livestock and meat industry. The 
information provided by respondents initiates market news reporting, 
which must be timely, accurate, unbiased, and continuous if it is to be 
meaningful to the industry. The livestock and meat industry requested 
that AMS issue livestock and meat market reports in order to assist 
them in making informed production and marketing decisions. In 
addition, several Government agencies that purchase meat for various 
Federal programs use this data in making their purchasing decisions.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated at .03 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, individuals or 
households, farms, and the Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 450.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 520.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,020 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

    Dated: June 14, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13861 Filed 6-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P