[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24557-24558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09617]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-16-0023]


Request for an Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection for the Seed Service Testing Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension and revision of the 
currently approved information collection for the Seed Service Testing 
Program.

DATES: Comments received by June 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted electronically at http://

[[Page 24558]]

www.regulations.gov or to Ernest L. Allen, Director, Seed Regulatory 
and Testing Division (SRTD), Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, 
USDA, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, NC 28054-2193, or 
by facsimile to (704) 852-4109. All comments should reference docket 
number AMS-LPS-16-0023 and note the date and page number of this issue 
in the Federal Register. All comments received will be posted without 
change, including any personal information provided, online at http://www.regulations.gov and will be made available for public inspection at 
the above physical address during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernest L. Allen, SRTD, Livestock, 
Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (704) 810-8871, or 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Seed Service Testing Program.
    OMB Number: 0581-0140.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2016.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary to conduct 
voluntary seed testing on a fee-for-service basis. The Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq., authorizes 
the Secretary of Agriculture to inspect and certify the quality of 
agricultural products and collect such fees as are reasonable to cover 
the cost of service rendered. Regulations for inspection and 
certification of quality of agricultural and vegetable seeds are 
contained in 7 CFR part 75.
    The purpose of the voluntary program is to promote efficient, 
orderly marketing of seeds, and assist in the development of new and 
expanding markets. Under the program, samples of agricultural and 
vegetable seeds submitted to AMS are tested for factors such as purity 
and germination at the request of the applicant for the service. In 
addition, grain samples, submitted at the applicant's request, are 
examined for the presence of certain weed and crop seed by the Grain 
Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration. A Federal Seed 
Analysis Certificate or an ISTA Orange International Seed Lot 
Certificate is issued giving the test results. Most of the seeds tested 
under this program are scheduled for export. Many importing countries 
require a Federal Seed Analysis Certificate on U.S. seed.
    The only information collected is information needed to provide the 
service requested by the applicant. This includes information to 
identify the seed being tested, the seed treatment (if treated with a 
pesticide), the tests to be performed, and any other appropriate 
information required by the applicant to be on the Federal Seed 
Analysis Certificate or the ISTA Orange International Seed Lot 
Certificate.
    The number of seed companies applying for the seed testing service 
has decreased from 76 to 55 during the past 3 years due to a decrease 
in the number of companies exporting seed. The total number of samples 
received for testing has also decreased. Therefore, the average burden 
for information collection has decreased for seed companies applying 
for the service.
    The information in this collection is used only by authorized AMS 
employees to track, test, and report results to the applicant.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Applicants for seed testing service.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 55.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 22.92.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 315.25 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: April 20, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09617 Filed 4-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P