[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 23840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8981]



[[Page 23840]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend an 
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 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request revision and extension of a currently approved information 
collection, the Mink Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 6, 2005, to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024 or to 
[email protected] or faxed to (202) 720-6396.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mink Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0212.
    Approval Expires: June 30, 2005.
    Type of Request: Intent to revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary 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 Mink 
Survey collects data on the number of mink pelts produced, the number 
of females bred, and the number of mink farms. Mink estimates are used 
by the federal government to calculate total value of sales and total 
cash receipts, by State governments to administer fur farm programs and 
health regulations, and by universities in research projects. In the 
new collection, color classes will be expanded. The Mink Survey was 
approved by OMB for a 3-year period in 2002; NASS intends to request 
that the survey be approved for another 3 years.
    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 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 375.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 63 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, 
at (202) 720-5778. 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 at Washington, DC, March 24, 2005.
Carol House,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-8981 Filed 5-2-05; 2:35 pm]
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