[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 173 (Friday, September 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 51783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20611]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 2, 2008.
    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), [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) 720-8958.
    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.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Agricultural Resource Management, Chemical Use, and Post-
harvest Chemical Use Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0218.
    Summary of Collection: The primary objectives of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are to provide the public with 
timely and reliable agricultural production and economic statistics, as 
well as environmental and specialty agricultural related statistics. 
Three surveys--the Agricultural Resource Management Study, the Fruit 
and Vegetable Chemical Use Surveys, and the Post-harvest Chemical Use 
Survey--are critical to NASS' ability to fulfill these objectives and 
to build the Congressionally mandated database on agricultural chemical 
use and related farm practices. NASS uses a variety of survey 
instruments to collect the information in conjunction with these 
studies.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Resource 
Management Study provides a robust database of information to address 
varied needs of policymakers. There are many uses for the information 
from this study including an evaluation of the safety of the Nation's 
food supply; input to the farm sector portion of the gross domestic 
product; and to provide a barometer on the financial condition of farm 
businesses. Data from the Fruit and Vegetable Chemical Use Surveys is 
used to assess the environmental and economic implications of various 
programs and policies and the impact on agricultural producers and 
consumers. The results of the Post-harvest Chemical Use Survey are used 
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop Food Quality 
Protection Act risk assessments. Other organizations use this data to 
make sound regulatory decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 109,917.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 61,134.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-20611 Filed 9-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P