Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: February 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 31)]

[Notices]

[Page 7853]

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

[DOCID:fr17fe99-52]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection, the Stocks Report.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 1999 be assured to consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4117 South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Stocks Report.

OMB Number: 0535-0007.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 1999.

Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. The Stock Report Surveys provide estimates of off-farm stocks of grains rice, potatoes peanuts, hops, and dry beans. Off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to estimate stocks in all positions. Stocks statistics are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs, by State agencies to develop research and promote the marketing of the products and by producers to find their best market opportunity. The Stocks Report has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. These data will be collected under the authority of 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, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 18 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms and businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,250.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 hours.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Larry Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000. 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.

Signed at Washington, D.C., January 27, 1999. Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3741Filed2-16-99; 8:45 am]

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