[Federal Register: March 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 61)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15336-15337]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr99-28]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 25, 1999.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Emergency Loan Policies, Procedures and Authorizations--7 
CFR part 1945-D.
    OMB Control Numbers: 0560-0159.
    Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act of 1972 authorizes emergency loss loans to assist farmers who have 
suffered physical or production losses in areas declared by the 
President, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, or named for 
physical loss loans by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator. 
Funds may be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or 
part of production costs associated property, pay all or part of 
production costs associated with the disaster year, essential family 
living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, or refinance debts. 
Emergency loss loans are low interest direct loans which are made and 
serviced by FSA officials. FSA will document and verify the extent of 
losses suffered because of the natural disaster, and account for loan 
funds that will be disbursed to borrowers in more than one installment.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information using 
forms to determine an applicant's eligibility and property loss and 
account for loan funds that will be disbursed. The collected 
information will be used to protect the government's financial 
interests by ensuring that only farming operations which have suffered 
a 30 percent production loss are determined eligible for emergency 
loans.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 3,100.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,960.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0128.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (60 
Stat. 1087-1091, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) (AMA) directs and 
authorizes the Department to develop standards of quality, grades, 
grading programs, and services to enable a more orderly marketing of 
agricultural products so trading may be facilitated and so consumers 
may be able to obtain products graded and identified under USDA 
programs with the confidence of receiving quality in accordance with 
the standards, grades, and regulations. The regulations provide a 
voluntary program for grading shell eggs on the basis of U.S. 
standards, grades, and weight classes. In addition, the shell egg 
industry and users of the products have requested that other types of 
voluntary services be developed and provided under these regulations; 
e.g., contract and specification acceptance services and certification 
of quantity. This voluntary grading service is available on a resident 
basis or a lot-fee bases. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will 
collect information using forms PY-100, PY-157, and PY-240.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the name, address, and the kind of services or benefits the respondents 
wish. The

[[Page 15337]]

information is used to administer and to conduct and carry out the 
grading services requested by the respondents. If the information is 
not collected, the Agency would not be able to provide the voluntary 
grading service authorized and requested by Congress under the AMA, to 
provide the types of services requested by industry, to administer the 
program, to ensure properly grade-labeled products, to calculate the 
cost of the service, and to collect for the cost furnishing service as 
required by section 203(h) of the AMA.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 643.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Semi-annually; 
Monthly; Annually; Other.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,602.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: List of Commodities by Firm Available for Exporting.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0031.
    Summary of Collection: The AgExport Connections Office of USDA's 
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) facilitates trade contracts between 
U.S. exporters and foreign buyers seeking U.S. food and agricultural 
products. Authority for this program falls under 7 U.S.C. Part 1761. 
The U.S. Supplier List (USL) and Foreign Buyer List (FBL) services are 
designed to help U.S. firms make contact with export agents, trading 
companies, importers and foreign buyers and create an opportunity to 
sell their products in overseas markets. This service provides the U.S. 
firm an opportunity to have a data record providing basic information 
about the company and the products it exports put into a USDA 
maintained database. FAS will collect information using a combination 
of forms and telephone interviews.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information on 
contact names, mailing addresses, telephone, fax, email, and websites. 
The main purposes of the USL and FBL services is to foster trade 
contacts in an effort to facilitate greater export of U.S. agriculture 
food, forestry, and fishery products. The databases are used to recruit 
U.S. exporters, importers, and buyers to participate in market 
development activities sponsored by USDA. These databases must be 
updated periodically to maintain the integrity and usefulness to the 
trade community.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 29,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,730.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Department Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-7800 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M