[Federal Register: December 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 77960-77961]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20de02-21]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of Currently
Approved Information Collections
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to
request and extension for, and revision to, currently approved
information collections in support of the Foreign Market Development
Cooperation (Cooperator) Program and the Market Access Program (MAP)
based on re-estimates.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 18, 2003.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Director, Marketing
Operations Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1042,
(202) 720-4327.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program and Market
Access Program.
OMB Number: 0551-26 and 0551-0027, respectively. These will be
combined into OMB Number 0551-0026 if this request is approved.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2003, for the Foreign Market
Development Cooperator Program and June 30, 2003, for the Market Access
Program.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved
information collections, with change to combine 0551-0026 (Foreign
Market Development Cooperator Program) and 0551-0027 (Market Access
Program).
Abstract: The primary objective of the Foreign Market Development
Cooperator Program and the Market Access Program is to encourage and
aid in the creation, maintenance and expansion of commercial export
markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-share assistance to
eligible trade organizations. The programs are a cooperative effort
between CCC and the eligible trade organizations. Currently, there are
about 70 organizations participating directly in the programs with
activities in more than 100 countries.
Prior to initiating program activities, each Cooperator or MAP
participant must submit a detailed application to Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS) which includes an assessment of overseas market
potential; market or country strategies, constrains, goals and
benchmarks; proposed market development activities; estimated budgets;
and performance measurements. Prior years' plans often dictate the
content of current year plans because many activities are continuations
of previous activities. Each Cooperator or MAP participant is also
responsible for submitting: (1) Reimbursement claims for approved costs
incurred in carrying out approved activities, (2) an end-of-year
contribution report, (3) travel reports, and (4) progress reports/
evaluation studies. Cooperators, or MAP participants must maintain
records on all information submitted to FAS. The information collected
is used by FAS to manage, plan, evaluate and account for Government
resources. The reports and records are required to ensure the proper
and judicious use of public funds.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 21 hours per response.
Respondents: Non-profit trade organizations, state groups,
cooperatives, and commercial entities.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 71.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 62.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 91,442 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.
[[Page 77961]]
Request for Comments: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the
burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information, to:
Director, Marketing Operations Staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042.
Facsimile submissions may be sent to (202) 720-9361 and electronic mail
submissions should be addressed to: mosadmin@fas.usda.gov.
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, DC, December 16, 2002.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 02-32120 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M