[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9586-9587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4702]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Request for Revision of Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request a revision from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a 
currently approved information collection process in support of the 
Foreign Market Development Cooperator's (Cooperator) Program and the 
Market Access Program (MAP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 4, 2009 to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Director, Program 
Operations Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, Portals Office 
Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
(202) 720-4327, fax: (202) 720-9361, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Foreign Market Development (Cooperator) Program and Market 
Access Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0026.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2009.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection process.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Cooperator's Program and MAP 
is to encourage and aid in the creation, maintenance, and expansion of 
commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-
share assistance to eligible trade organizations. The programs are a 
cooperative effort between CCC and eligible trade organizations. 
Currently, there are approximately 70 organizations participating 
directly in the programs with activities in more than 100 countries.
    Prior to initiating program activities, each Cooperator or MAP 
participant must submit a detailed application to the Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS) which includes an assessment of overseas 
market potential; market or country strategies, constraints, goals, and 
benchmarks; proposed market development activities; estimated budgets; 
and performance

[[Page 9587]]

measurements. Prior years' plans often dictate the content of current 
year plans because many activities are continuations of previous 
activities. Each Cooperator or MAP participant is also responsible for 
submitting: (1) Reimbursement claims for approved costs incurred in 
carrying out approved activities, (2) an end-of-year contribution 
report, (3) travel reports, and (4) progress reports/evaluation 
studies. Cooperators or MAP participants must maintain records on all 
information submitted to FAS. The information collected is used by FAS 
to manage, plan, evaluate, and account for Government resources. The 
reports and records are required to ensure the proper and judicious use 
of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 21 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit trade organizations, state groups, 
cooperatives, and commercial entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 71.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 62.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 92,442 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tamoria 
Thompson-Hall, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 
690-1690.
    Request for Comments: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the 
burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information. 
Comments may be sent to Director, Program Operations Division, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Facsimile submissions may be sent to 
(202) 720-9361 and electronic mail submissions should be addressed to 
[email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require an 
alternative means for communication of information (Braille, large 
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 
720-2600 (voice and TDD). All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC on January 27, 2009.
Suzanne Hale,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Acting Vice 
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9-4702 Filed 3-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P