[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61464-61466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22981]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 201 / Tuesday, October 19, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 61464]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 7, 2004
    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), Pamela--Beverly--OIRA 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 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. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 
(202) 720-8681.
    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.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Tobacco Marketing Quotas and Price Support (7 CFR Parts 711, 
723, and 1464).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0058.
    Summary of Collection: The Tobacco Marketing Quota Programs are 
regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture. Tobacco 
marketing quota regulations govern the establishment of farm acreage 
allotments and marketing quotas, the issuance of marketing cards, the 
identification of marketing of tobacco, the collection of penalties, 
eligibility for price support and requirements on tobacco dealers, 
warehouse operators, and manufacturers of cigarettes. The Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) tries to make sure that producers will receive fair prices 
for their tobacco. This is done by administering the tobacco program 
through the use of marketing quotas, which balance supply and demand 
for tobacco with price support. The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 
1938, and the Agricultural Act of 1949, provide the statutory authority 
for this information collection. FSA will collect information using 
several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect tobacco reports 
and financial records from producers, owners of tobacco allotments and 
quotas and warehouse operators. The information is used by the tobacco 
industry to accomplish its goal and objectives. If the information is 
not collected, it could result in an ineffective marketing quota 
program and the production and marketing of large amounts of excess 
tobacco.
    Description of Respondents: Farm; business or other for-profit; 
individuals or households; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 361,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion; 
weekly; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,541,420.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: 9 CFR 75 Communicable Diseases in Horses.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0127.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) regulates the importation and interstate movement of 
animals and animal products, and conducts various other activities to 
protect the health of the nation's livestock and poultry. Equine 
Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an infectious and potentially fatal viral 
disease of equines. The regulations in 9 CFR 75.4 govern the interstate 
movement of equines that have tested positive to an official test for 
EIA and provide for the approval of laboratories, diagnostic 
facilities, and research facilities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from 
forms, APHIS VS 10-11, Equine Infectious Anemia Laboratory Test, 10-12, 
Equine Infectious Anemia Supplemental Investigation and 1-27, Permit 
for the Movement of Restricted Animals, will be used to prevent the 
spread of equine infectious anemia. Without the information, it would 
be impossible for APHIS to effectively regulate the interstate movement 
of horses infected with EIA.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; farms; 
business or other for-profit; State, Local and Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 195,410.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; 
Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0165.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is 
charged with disease prevention. The regulations under which APHIS 
conduct disease prevention activities are contained in Title 9, Chapter 
1, Subchapter D, Parts 91 through 99. APHIS requires horses, ruminants, 
swine, and dogs imported into the United States from regions of the 
world where screwworm is known to exist to be inspected and, if 
necessary, treated for infestation with screwworm. Screwworm is a pest 
native to tropical areas of South America, the Indian subcontinent, 
Southeast Asia, tropical and sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arabian 
Peninsula that causes extensive damage to livestock and other warm-
blooded animals.

[[Page 61465]]

    Need and Use of the Information: Horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs 
entering the United States from regions where screwworm is known to 
exist must be accompanied by a certificate, signed by a full-time 
salaried veterinary official of the exporting country, stating that 
these animals have been thoroughly examined, that they have been 
treated with ivermectin, that any visible wounds have been treated with 
camaphos, and the animals appear to be free of screwworm. This is 
necessary to prevent the introduction of screwworm into the United 
States. If the information were collected less frequently or not 
collected at all, it would significantly cripple APHIS ability to 
ensure that horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs imported into the United 
States are not carrying screwworm. Such a development would make a 
screwworm incursion much more likely, with economically damaging 
effects on the U.S. equine, cattle, and swine industries.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 40.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 40.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Annual Report of State Revenue Matching.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0075.
    Summary of Collection: The National School Lunch Program is 
mandated by the National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1751 and the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. 1771. The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) administer the National School Lunch Program. Under the program, 
States are required to match 30 percent (or a lesser percent based on 
per capital income) of the Federal funds made available for the School 
Lunch Program. Annually, the State agencies are required to report to 
FNS the total funds used in order to receive Federal reimbursement for 
meals served to eligible participants.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected allows 
FNS to monitor State compliance with the revenue matching requirement. 
Without the information, States may receive Federal funds, which are 
not warranted. Monitoring the matching of State funds is essential to 
preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the National School Lunch 
Program.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 54.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,320.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Issuance Reconciliation Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0080.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) at 
Section 7(d) requires State agencies to report on Food Stamp Program 
issuance not less than monthly. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 
on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, administers the Food Stamp 
Program through State agencies. These State agencies are accountable 
for issuance and control of food stamp coupons. Accordingly, States are 
liable to USDA for any financial losses involved in the acceptance, 
storage, and issuance of food stamp coupons. Information is required 
from State agencies on wrongfully issued benefits including 
undocumented issuances, and returned benefits, stolen and transacted 
accountable issuance documents, replacement benefits, and obligations 
from the exchange of food stamp coupons for any reason.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS provides the FNS-46 form, 
Issuance Reconciliation Report, for State agencies to use in reporting 
reconciliation results from analysis of the benefit issuances for all 
issuance with the record-for-issuance file. FNS uses this information 
to assess liability and to determine billing amounts.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 96.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 22,416.

Forest Service

    Title: Forest Stewardship Program Participant Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
1978 (Pub. L. 95-313), and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and 
Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 107-171), as amended authorize the Forest 
Service (FS) through the Forest Stewardship Program to provide 
technical assistance to non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners 
through State Foresters. A primary focus of the Forest Stewardship 
Program is the development of comprehensive, multi-resource management 
plans that provide landowners with the information they need to manage 
their forests for a variety of products and services. The Forest 
Stewardship Program also assists State forestry agencies with a variety 
of programs to further support (NIPF) owner planning and management 
efforts including tree improvement and seedling production, and 
landowner education programs. FS will collect information using a 
telephone survey.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will use the information 
collected from the survey to assess the degree to which stewardship 
plans are affecting NIPF management, and whether program outcomes are 
consistent with legislative intent for the program.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; farms; 
State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (survey will be conducted 
once every 5 years).
    Total Burden Hours: 400.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Milk and Milk Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics 
Service's (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue current 
official state and national estimates of crop and livestock production. 
Estimates of milk production and manufactured dairy products are an 
integral part of this program. Milk and dairy statistics are used by 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help administer price 
support programs and by the dairy industry in planning, pricing, and 
projecting supplies of milk and milk products. The general authority 
for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 
7, Section 2204.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on 
monthly estimates of stocks, shipments, and selling prices for such 
products as butter, cheese, dry whey, and nonfat dry milk. Cheddar 
cheese prices are collected weekly and used by USDA to assist in the 
determination of the fair market value of raw milk. Estimates of total 
milk production, number of milk cow, and milk production per cow, are 
used by the dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting 
supplies of milk and milk products. Collecting data less frequently 
would prevent USDA and the agricultural industry from keeping abreast 
of changes at the State and national level.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 34,522.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; weekly; monthly; 
annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 13,086.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Customer Service Survey for USDA--Donated Food Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0182.
    Summary of Collection: To support the Agricultural Marketing 
Service

[[Page 61466]]

(AMS) activities under authority of 7 CFR 250, regulations for the 
Donation of Food for Use in the United States, Its Territories and 
Possessions and Areas Under Its Jurisdiction, AMS will use a customer 
driven approach to maintain and improve the quality of food products 
and packaging. AMS will use AMS-11, ``Customer Opinion Postcard,'' to 
collect information. Customers that use USDA procured commodities to 
prepare and serve meals retrieve these cards from the boxes and use 
them to rate their perception of product flavor, texture, and 
appearance as well as overall satisfaction.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the product type, production lot, and identify the location and type of 
facility in which the product was served. Without this information, AMS 
will not be able to obtain timely and accurate information about its 
products from customers that use them.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 8,400.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 700.

Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration

    Title: ``Clear Title''--Protection for Purchasers of Farm Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0580-0016.
    Summary of Collection: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) have the responsibility for the Clear Title 
Program (Section 1324 of the Food Security Act of 1985). The Clear 
Title Program was enacted to facilitate interstate commerce in farm 
products and protect purchasers of farm products by enabling States to 
establish central filing systems. The Food Security Act of 1985 permits 
the states to establish ``central filing systems''. These central 
filing systems notify buyers of farm products of any mortgages or liens 
on the products. There are 19 states that currently have certified 
central filing systems.
    Need and Use of the Information: A state submits information one 
time to GIPSA when applying for certification. GIPSA reviews the 
information submitted by the states to certify that those central 
filing systems meet the criteria set forth in section 1324 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 80.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-22981 Filed 10-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-M; 3410-34-M; 3410-30-M; 3410-11-M; 3410-20-M; 
3410-02-M; 3410-KD-M