[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4339-4340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1558]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 21, 2010.
    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.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Food for Peace, Title I Financing and Record Keeping.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0005.
    Summary of Collection: Title I of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
1691) provides for U.S. government financing of sales of U.S. 
agricultural commodities to recipients (foreign countries or private 
entities). The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is responsible for 
administering Food for Peace, Title 1 agreements. In accordance with 
the law, an agreement providing for long-term credit financing is first 
negotiated with the recipient through diplomatic channels. After an 
agreement has been signed, the recipient applies to FAS for 
authorization to purchase each commodity provided in the agreement. A 
purchase authorization is issued which provides for financing of 
commodity sales by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the USDA 
agency authorized by law to provide financing for Title 1. At least 75 
percent of the gross tonnage of commodities purchased under Title I 
must be shipped on privately owned U.S. flag commercial vessels to the 
extent such vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates. If 
ocean transportation is required to a country where there is no U.S. 
flag vessel coverage, a foreign vessel will be used at its prevailing 
rate. The recipient must send the pertinent terms of all proposed ocean 
freight contracts, regardless of whether any portion of the ocean 
freight is financed by CCC, to FAS for review and approval before the 
vessel is contracted.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
insure that (1) suppliers keep accurate records on Title 1 
transactions; (2) suppliers permit access to authorized USDA 
representatives (such as auditors and investigators); and (3) suppliers 
retain records for three years after final payment. FAS will review the 
information to ensure that there are no potential conflicts of 
interest. FAS also evaluates the sales price to ensure that it is 
within the prevailing range of export market prices. Without the 
information, FAS could not ensure program compliance.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 9.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 11.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: CCC's Export Enhancement Program (EEP) and CCC's Dairy 
Export Incentive Program (DEIP).
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0028.
    Summary of Collection: The major objective of the Dairy Export 
Incentive Program (DEIP) is to expand U.S. dairy product exports by 
paying cash to exporters as bonuses, allowing them to sell U.S. dairy 
products in targeted countries at competitive prices. Currently 102 
countries and 3 country regions are targeted export destinations and 
650 exporters are eligible to participate under the DEIP. Under 7 CFR 
part 1494, exporters are required to submit the following: (1) 
Information required for program participation, (2) performance 
security, (3) export sales information in connection with applying for 
a CCC bonus, and (4) evidence of export and related information. In 
addition, each exporter must maintain accurate records showing sales 
and deliveries of the eligible commodity exported in connection with an 
agreement made under the DEIP, as outlined in section 1494.1001.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Foreign Agricultural Service 
(FAS) collects information from U.S. exporters in order to determine 
the exporters'

[[Page 4340]]

eligibility for the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) and the Dairy 
Export Incentive Program (DEIP). Program applicants can fax a letter in 
or applicants may register over the Internet. Information collected 
from U.S. Exporters is used by CCC to manage, plan for and evaluate the 
use of, and account for Government resources. Without the application 
and related information, FAS would be unable to properly qualify U.S. 
Exporters for EEP and DEIP.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 9.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 47.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-1558 Filed 1-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P