Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: September 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 183)]

[Notices]

[Page 50554-50555]

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

[DOCID:fr22se98-40]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To 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 revise a currently approved information collection, the Milk and Milk Products Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 27, 1998.

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: Milk and Milk Products Surveys.

OMB Number: 0535-0020.

Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1999.

Type of Request: Intent to 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

[[Page 50555]]

production. The Milk and Milk Products Surveys obtain basic agricultural statistics on milk production and manufactured dairy products from farmers and processing plants throughout the Nation. Data are gathered for milk production, dairy products, evaporated and condensed milk, manufactured dry milk, and manufactured whey products. Milk production and manufactured dairy products statistics are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs and by the dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting supplies of milk and milk products. Approval to add weekly butter, dry whey, and nonfat dry milk price reports to the information collection is requested.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 7 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms and businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 44,619.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 21,571 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., September 3, 1998. Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 98-25294Filed9-21-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-20-P