[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 48665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16463]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Revise and Extend a Currently Approved 
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 
intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request revision and extension of a currently approved information 
collection, the Stocks Reports.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 18, 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: Stocks Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2006.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to revise and extend an 
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, stocks, disposition, and prices. The 
Stocks Report Surveys provide estimates of stocks of grains, hops, 
oilseeds, peanuts, potatoes, and rice that are stored off-farm. These 
off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to estimate stocks in 
all positions. Stocks statistics are used by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture to help administer programs; by State agencies to develop, 
research, and promote the marketing of products; and by producers to 
find their best market opportunity. 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: This information collection comprises 15 
individual surveys that are conducted 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, or 12 times a year 
for an estimated total of 50,000 responses. Public reporting burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 18 minutes per 
response.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 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: 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, July 29, 2005.
Carol House,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-16463 Filed 8-18-05; 8:45 am]
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