[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75954-75955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30531]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

 December 1, 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) 720-8681.
    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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0008.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Cotton Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 51 
53 and 55, authorizes the USDA to supervise the various activities 
directly associated with the classification or grading of cotton, 
cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA Standards. The 
Cotton Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service carries out this 
supervision and is responsible for the maintenance of the functions to 
which these forms relate. USDA is the only Federal agency authorized to 
establish and promote the use of the official cotton standards of the 
U.S. in interstate and foreign commerce and to supervise the various 
activities associated with the classification or grading of cotton, 
cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA standards.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service 
uses the following forms to collection information:
    Form FD-210 is submitted by owners of cotton to request cotton 
classification services. The request contains information for USDA to 
ascertain proper ownership of the samples submitted, to distribute 
classification results, and bill for services. Information about the 
origin and handling of the cotton is necessary in order to properly 
evaluate and classify the samples.
    Form CN-246 is submitted by cotton gins and warehouses seeking to 
serve as licensed samplers. Licenses issued by the USDA-AMS Cotton 
Program authorize the warehouse/gin to draw and submit samples to 
insure the proper application of standards in the classification of 
cotton and to prevent deception in their use.
    Form CN-383 is a package of forms designated as CN-383-a through 
CN-383-k that is submitted by cotton producers, ginners, warehousemen, 
cooperatives, manufacturers, merchants, and crushers interested in 
acquiring cotton classification standards and round testing services.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 530.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 136.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Cotton Classification and Market News Service.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0009.
    Summary of Collection: The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7 
U.S. Code 471-476, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect 
and publish annually statistics or estimates concerning the grades and 
staple lengths

[[Page 75955]]

of stocks of cotton. In addition, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
collects, authenticates, publishes, and distributes timely information 
of the market supply, demand, location, and market prices for cotton (7 
U.S.C. 473B). This information is needed and used by all segments of 
the cotton industry.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the quality of cotton in the carryover stocks along with the size or 
volume of the carryover. Growers use this information in making 
decisions relative to marketing their present crop and planning for the 
next one; cotton merchants use the information in marketing decisions; 
and the mills that provide the data also use the combined data in 
planning their future purchase to cover their needs. Importers of U.S. 
cotton use the data in making their plans for purchases of U.S. cotton. 
AMS and other government agencies are users of the compiled 
information.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 725.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 770.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Regulations 
(Other than Rules of Practice) Under the Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act, 1930.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0031.
    Summary of Collection: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(PACA) establishes a code of fair trading practices covering the 
marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or 
foreign commerce. It protects growers, shippers and distributors by 
prohibiting unfair practices. PACA requires nearly all persons who 
operate as commission merchants, dealers and brokers buying or selling 
fruit and or vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce to be 
licensed. The license for retailers and grocery wholesalers is 
effective for three years and for all other licensees up to three 
years, unless withdrawn.
    Need and Use of the Information: Using various forms, AMS will 
collect information from the applicant to administer licensing 
provisions under the Act, to adjudicate contract disputes, and for the 
purpose of enforcing the PACA and its regulations. If this information 
were unavailable, it would be impossible to identify and regulate those 
individuals or firms that are restricted due to sanctions imposed 
because of the reparation or administrative actions.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 14,492.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 87,328.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Reporting Forms under Milk Marketing Order Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0032.
    Summary Of Collection: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders 
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as 
amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while 
protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order 
regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk 
in the area it covers. Currently, there are 10 milk marketing orders 
regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is 
needed to administer the classified pricing system and related 
requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting 
purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers, 
the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used 
by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other 
components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market 
administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly 
price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in 
the order. Penalties are imposed for violation of the order, such as 
the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 740.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 22,315.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-30531 Filed 12-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P