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Federal Register Notices
[Federal Register: April 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 63)]
[Notices]
[Page 17296-17297]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap08-21]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Request for New Information Collection
on Genetic Resources
for U.S. Food and Agriculture
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural 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 Foreign Agricultural
Service's intention, in collaboration with the
University of Illinois, to request a new
information collection for genetic
resources relevant to U.S. food
and agriculture.
DATES: Comments and recommendations must be
received on or before June 2, 2008. Comments
received after this date will not be considered.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jennifer
Long, Visiting Assistant Research Professor,
Department of Biological Sciences, University of
Illinois, 845 W. Taylor Street (MC 066),
Chicago, IL 60607, e-mail at
vernlong@uic.edu.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Food and Agricultural Genetic
Resources.
OMB Number: To be assigned by OMB.
Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
Type of Request: New information collection.
Abstract: The Foreign Agricultural Service, in collaboration
with the University of Illinois, will be
gathering information on the international
sources and uses of genetic
resources relevant to U.S. food
and agriculture. FAS and other USDA agencies
would like to obtain information from a broad
base of stakeholders on how the sources and uses
of genetic resources
may affect U.S. food and agricultural research
and development activities. This information
will assist FAS in further developing U.S.
policy positions to be advanced in international
forums such as the United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) Commission on
Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture and the United Nations
Environmental Program (UNEP) Convention on
Biological Diversity. Information collected from
stakeholders will consist of an online survey,
followed by a phone interview, to identify the
sources and uses of genetic
resources in the stakeholders'
research and development activities. A maximum
of two additional phone interviews may be held
with respondents to clarify information from
survey responses. Authority to collect this
information falls under 7 U.S.C. Part 5693 and
it is voluntary for stakeholders to participate.
The data will be collected through a secure,
online survey instrument and will be stored on a
secure, password protected server at the
University of Illinois. Only individuals with
proper authorization (i.e., a password) will
have access to the data.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to
average 1.50 hours per response.
Type of Respondents: Individual faculty and administrators in
public and private U.S. universities,
businesses, and individual researchers at
federal agricultural research institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000 per annum.
Estimated Number of Responses: 5,900 per annum.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,900 per
annum.
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. Copies of the
information collection may be obtained from
Tamoria Thompson-Hall, the Agency Information
Collection Coordinator, at (202) 690-1690 or
e-mail at
Tamoria.Thompson@usda.gov. Comments may be
sent to Dr. Jennifer Long, Visiting Assistant
Research Professor, Department of Biological
Sciences, University of Illinois,
845 West Taylor Street (MC 066), Chicago, IL
60607 or e-mail at
vernlong@uic.edu or to the Desk Officer for
Agriculture, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. All comments
received will be available for public inspection
during regular business hours by contacting
Peter Tabor, Lead International Trade
Specialist, at the Foreign Agricultural Service
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence
Avenue, SW., South Building, Room 5930,
Washington, DC 20250. Persons with disabilities
who require an alternative means of
communication of information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's
Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
All responses to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for OMB approval of
the proposed information collection. All
comments will become a matter of public record.
Government Paperwork Elimination Act: FAS is committed to
compliance with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act, which requires Government
agencies, in general, to provide the public the
option of submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum extent
possible.
Signed at Washington, DC, on March 19, 2008.
Michael W. Yost,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
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