[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 9290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04780]



[[Page 9290]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-ST-19-0017]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

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, for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection of the Seed Service Testing 
Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 13, 2019 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by using the electronic process available at 
www.regulations.gov. Written comments may also be submitted to Ernest 
L. Allen, Director, Seed Regulatory and Testing Division, Science and 
Technology Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North 
Carolina 28054-2193; telephone (704) 810-8871; Fax (704) 852-4189. All 
comments should reference the docket number AMS-ST-19-0017 and note the 
date and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments received will be posted without change, including any personal 
information provided, at www.regulations.gov and will be included in 
the record and made available to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernest L. Allen, Seed Regulatory and 
Testing Division, Science and Technology Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 801 Summit Crossing 
Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054-2193; telephone (704) 
810-8871; Fax (704) 852-4189.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due to reorganization within AMS, we have 
moved from Livestock, Poultry and Seed to Science and Technology 
Programs.
    Title: Seed Service Testing Program.
    OMB Number: 0581-0140.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2019.
    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 applicants applying for the seed testing service has 
remand the same as previous submission. However, the total number of 
samples received for testing has increased. Therefore, the average 
burden for information collection has increased 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 Total Annual Responses: 1,333.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 24.24.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 333.25 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. Comments may be sent to Ernest L. Allen, 
Seed Regulatory and Testing Division, Science and Technology Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 801 
Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054-2193. 
All comments received will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the same address.
    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: March 11, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-04780 Filed 3-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P