[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 80329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32924]



[[Page 80329]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) intends to 
request a renewal and revision of a currently approved information 
collection process used in support of Exporter Assistance programs. The 
renewal and revision are based on estimates of the public burden set 
forth in the abstract.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 21, 2012 to 
be assured of consideration.
    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (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 automated electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments and questions regarding the Export Assistance 
Programs registration forms, surveys, and qualification criteria should 
be sent to: Maria Nemeth-Ek, Deputy Director, Trade Services Staff, 
Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 1020, Washington, DC 
20250-1020. All written comments received will be available for public 
inspection at the above address during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMAITON CONTACT: Maria Nemeth-Ek at the address stated 
above or telephone (202) 720-9516, or by email at: Maria [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Export Services.
    OMB Number: 0551-0031.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2012.
    Type of Request: Renewal and revision of a currently approved 
information collection process.
    Abstract: FAS is renewing and revising the information collected 
under its Export Services programs. FAS is revising five of the nine 
forms in this information collection submission. The first revised form 
is the Foreign Buyers' List order form used by U.S. companies to 
request information on foreign buyers of food and agricultural products 
by country. FAS is revising this form to reflect the new organizational 
structure in USDA/FAS and to simplify the format of the request. The 
Foreign Buyers List provides information on over 20,000 buyers in more 
than 25 countries who specialize in the importation and distribution of 
U.S. products in their country. Specific program and form information 
is available at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/agx/buying_us/foreign_buyers_exporters.asp.
    FAS is also revising the customer service survey form used to 
collect information from participants of USDA/FAS endorsed trade shows. 
FAS will revise this form to effectively capture information in a more 
concise manner and update contact information for the offices 
responsible for managing the trade show program. Each year a certain 
number of trade shows in the best prospective markets are selected to 
be endorsed by USDA/FAS and host a U.S.A. pavilion for U.S. companies 
to promote their products to buyers. A list of USDA endorsed shows is 
available at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/agx/trade_events/trade_events.asp. Customer service surveys are collected by FAS to improve 
the effectiveness of USDA/FAS services. This information is necessary 
to manage, plan, and evaluate the effectiveness of these services, 
which are intended to help U.S. companies market and sell their 
products overseas.
    The remaining three forms in this collection to be renewed (the 
U.S. Supplier Registration form, the Madigan Export Award form, and the 
Exporter Directory Registration form) will be revised only to reflect 
the new organizational structure of USDA/FAS and update the contact 
information of the offices responsible for managing these programs.
    Four forms in this submission are no longer used and will not be 
renewed. These forms are the Foreign Buyer Registration form, the 
Exporter Directory Evaluation form, the Registration/Application Form 
for the American Caf[eacute], and the Sample Registration Form for 
Trade Events/American Caf[eacute].
    Due to the discontinuation of four forms in this information 
collection package and the minor structural and material adjustments 
that will be requested for the other five forms in this collection, the 
annual burden in hours for this collection is reduced by more than 
fifty percent from the previous submission for renewal in 2008.
    Estimate of Burden: The burden to U.S. exporters is estimated to 
average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. agricultural exporters of food, farm, and forest 
products.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500 per annum.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4 per annum.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 1,500 hours per 
annum.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tamoria 
Thompson-Hall, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 
690-1690.
    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. Persons with disabilities who require an alternative 
means to communicate information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TDD).

    Dated: December 12, 2011.
Suzanne E. Heinen,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32924 Filed 12-22-11; 8:45 am]
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