[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10919-10920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03608]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 23, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 10919]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics 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 the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection 
to gather data related to the production of hemp.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 2021 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-fax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin L. Barnes, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Hemp Acreage and Production Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to create a new 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The 2018 Farm Bill requires USDA to promulgate 
regulations and guidelines to establish and administer a program for 
the production of hemp in the United States.
    As defined in the 2018 Farm Bill, the term ``hemp'' means the plant 
species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the 
seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, 
acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a 
delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent 
on a dry weight basis. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the 
primary intoxicating component of cannabis. Cannabis with a THC level 
exceeding 0.3 percent is considered marijuana, which remains classified 
as a schedule I controlled substance regulated by the Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Under 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), Public Law 113-79, State 
departments of agriculture and institutions of higher education were 
permitted to produce hemp as part of a pilot program for research 
purposes. The authority for hemp production provided in the 2014 Farm 
Bill was extended by the 2018 Farm Bill, which was signed into law on 
December 20, 2018.
    Hemp is a commodity that can be used for numerous industrial and 
horticultural purposes including fabric, paper, construction materials, 
food products, cosmetics, production of cannabinoids (such as 
cannabidiol or CBD), and other products.
    In determining the type of data that would need to be collected and 
the frequency of the data collections, NASS management attended a joint 
meeting with representatives from the USDA's Economic Research Service 
(ERS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and the Office of the Secretary.
    Authority: The data will be collected under the authority of the 
Domestic Hemp Production Program, which is mandated by the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). In addition the data will be 
collected under the authority of Title 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually 
identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by 
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), and Office of Management and Budget 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
    NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, 
``Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, 
Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 
33362.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response. NASS plans 
to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to inform 
producers of the importance of this survey. NASS will also use multiple 
mailings and internet data collection tools, followed up with phone and 
limited personal enumeration of non-respondents to increase response 
rates and to minimize data collection costs. NASS is currently building 
a listing of potential hemp producers. From initial findings the target 
population is not expected to exceed 20,000.
    Respondents: Farmers and Ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,700 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (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, through

[[Page 10920]]

the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, 
technological, or other forms of information technology collection 
methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, February 16, 2021.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-03608 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
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