Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: December 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 239)

Notices

Page 66273-66274

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr15de09-28

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

Doc. No. AMS-LS-09-0078

Request for an Extension of and Revision to a Currently Approved

Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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 of and revision to the currently approved information collection for the Seed Service Testing

Program.

DATES: Comments received by February 16, 2010 will be considered.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this currently approved information collection notice.

Comments should be submitted through the Web site at http:// www.regulations.gov. Send written comments to Richard C. Payne, Chief,

Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch (SRTB), Livestock and Seed Program,

AMS, USDA, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054-2193, or by facsimile to (704) 852-4109. All comments should reference the docket number AMS-LS-09-0078. All comments received will be posted without change, including any personal information provided, on the Web site at http://www.regulations.gov and will be made available for public inspection at the above physical address during regular business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Seed Service Testing Program.

OMB Number: 0581-0140.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2010.

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 to inspect and certify the quality of agricultural products and collect such fees as 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, by the

Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration are examined for the presence of certain weed and crop seed. A Federal Seed Analysis

Certificate is issued giving the test results. Most of the seed tested under this program is 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.

The number of seed companies applying for the seed testing service has increased from 53 to 81 during the past 3 years due to an increase in the number of companies exporting seed. The total number of samples received for testing has decreased slightly. 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 .25 hours per response.

Respondents: Applicants for seed testing service.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 81.

Page 66274

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 33.0.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 668.0 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: December 8, 2009.

David R. Shipman,

Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

FR Doc. E9-29800 Filed 12-14-09; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P