[Federal Register: October 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 198)]
[Notices]
[Page 59154-59159]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14oc03-39]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 59154]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
October 8, 2003
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
Office for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Pamela--Beverly--OIRA _Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 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.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: Pub. L. 480, Title I Financing and Record Keeping.
OMB Control Number: 0551-0005.
Summary of Collection: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is
responsible for administering Public Law 480, Title I agreements, as
amended. This regulation provides for the financing of sales of U.S.
agricultural commodities to recipients of foreign countries or private
entities. In accordance with the law, an agreement providing for long-
term credit financing is first negotiated with the recipient through
diplomatic channels. After an agreement has been signed, the recipient
applies to FAS for authorization to purchase each commodity provided in
the agreement. At least 75 percent of the gross tonnage of commodities
purchased under Title I must be shipped on privately owned U.S. flag
commercial vessels to the extent such vessels are available at fair and
reasonable rates. If ocean transportation is required to a country
where there is no U.S. flag vessel coverage, a foreign vessel will be
used at its prevailing rate. The recipient must send the pertinent
terms of all proposed ocean freight contracts, regardless of whether
any portion of the ocean freight is financed by CCC, to FAS for review
and approval before the vessel is contracted.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to
insure that (1) suppliers keep accurate records on Title I
transactions; (2) suppliers permit access to authorized USDA
representatives (such as auditors and investigators); and, (3)
suppliers retain records for three years after final payment. FAS will
review and evaluate the information to ensure that there are no
potential conflicts of interests and ensure that the sales price is
within the prevailing range of export market prices. Without the
information, FAS could not ensure program compliance.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 25.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 47.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act Report.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0097.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Foreign Investment
Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires foreign investors to report to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a timely manner all held, acquired,
or transferred U.S. agricultural land. The Secretary of Agriculture has
delegated authority for the collection of this information to the Farm
Service Agency (FSA). Foreign investors may obtain form FSA-153, AFIDA
Report, from their local FSA county office or from the FSA Internet
site. Investors are required to file report within 90 days of the
acquisition, transfer, or change in the use of their land.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the
AFIDA Reports is used to monitor the effect of foreign investment upon
family farms and rural communities and in the preparation of a
voluntary report to Congress and the President. Congress reviews the
report and decides if regulatory action is necessary to limit the
amount of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land. If this
information was not collected, USDA could not effectively monitor
foreign investment and the impact of such holdings upon family farms
and rural communities.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 4,375.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 904.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Farm storage Facility Loan Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0204.
Summary of Collection: 7 CFR 1436 authorizes the Farm Service
Agency (FSA) to administer the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Farm
Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFLP). The regulations provide terms
and conditions in which CCC may provide low-cost financing for
producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage and handling facilities.
Producers requesting loans must provide information regarding the need
for farm storage capacity and the storage facility they
[[Page 59155]]
propose to construct. The information is needed to determine if the
farmer has a need for the proposed capacity and the proposed structure.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from
producers to establish eligibility for the program and to determine
that the structure proposed is not in conflict with local land use
laws. The information is needed by CCC to make loans to farmers who
have a bona fide storage need and to make loans that will be repaid on
time. If the information is not collected, the producer may not receive
the full benefits of the program.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 2,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
Total Burden Hours: 3,985.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Specimen Submission.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0090.
Summary of Collection: Under the authority of Title 21, U.S.C., the
Secretary of Agriculture is permitted to prevent, control and eliminate
domestic diseases such as tuberculosis, as well as to take actions to
prevent and to manage exotic diseases such as hog cholera, African
swine fever, and other foreign diseases. The National Veterinary
Services Laboratories cannot accomplish disease prevention without the
existence of an effective disease surveillance program, which includes
disease testing. Information is collected on each animal specimen
submitted for analysis by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) using form VS 10-4, ``Specimen Submission''.
Need and Use of the Information: The form VS 10-4 used by State or
Federal veterinarians documents the collections and submissions of
specimens for laboratory analysis. In addition, the form identifies the
individual animal from which the specimen is taken as well as the
animal's herd or flock; the type of specimen submitted, and the purpose
of submitting the specimen. Without the information contained on this
form, personnel at the National Veterinary Services laboratories would
have no way of identifying or processing the specimens sent to them for
analysis.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government;
Farms.
Number of Respondents: 12,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 9,000.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: TB in Cattle and Bison, State Designations: California.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0220.
Summary of Collection: Under the authority of Title 21, U.S.C., the
Secretary of Agriculture is permitted to prevent, control and eliminate
domestic diseases such as tuberculosis, as well as to take actions to
prevent and to manage exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth,
rinderpest, and other foreign diseases. Disease prevention is the most
effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and
enhancing the ability of U.S. producers to compete in the global market
of animal and animal product trade. An interim rule was published to
remove California from the list of accredited free States and add it to
the list of modified accredited advanced States. This action is to help
prevent the spread of tuberculosis from California to other areas of
the United States. Cattle moving interstate from California will need
to be officially identified via premises of origin identification (ear
tags).
Needs and Use of the Information: Certain herd owners in California
moving their cattle interstate will need to affix ear tags to these
animals prior to movement. The ear tags will identify the animal to its
herd of origin, and will be useful to the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service in the event that a trace-back investigation must be
conducted. Without the information, it would be impossible to
effectively monitor the interstate movement of cattle from California
or to conduct a successful trace-back investigation if any animal is
diagnosed with tuberculosis following interstate movement.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households.
Number Respondents: 600.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On Occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 960.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: TB in Cattle and Bison, State Designations: New Mexico.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0229.
Summary of Collection: Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious,
infectious, and communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It
affects cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats, and other species, including
humans. Bovine tuberculosis in infected animals and humans manifests
itself in lesions of the lung, bone, and other body parts, causes
weight loss and general debilitation, and can be fatal. Recently, two
tuberculosis-infected herds were detected in New Mexico; an interim
rule was published to remove New Mexico from the list of accredited-
free State to the list of modified accredited advanced states. The
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) took this action to
help prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis from New Mexico to other
areas of the United States. Authority for engaging in disease
containment activities associated with tuberculosis is contained in
Part 77 of Title 9, CFR.
Need and Use of the Information: Certain herd owners in New Mexico
moving their cattle interstate will need to affix ear tags to these
animals prior to movement. The ear tags will identify the animal to its
herd of origin and will be useful to APHIS in the event that a trace-
back investigation must be conducted. Without the information, it would
be impossible to effectively monitor the interstate movement of cattle
or bison from New Mexico or to conduct a successful trace-back
investigation if any animal is diagnosed with tuberculosis following
interstate movement.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 375
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion
Total Burden Hours: 600.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Title: Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Point (HACCP) Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 0583-0103.
Summary of Collection: The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21
U.S.C. 601) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C.
451 mandate that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) protect
the public by ensuring the meat and poultry products are safe,
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS has
begun to build the principle of prevention into its inspection program
and requires regulated establishments to prepare operating plans and
continuously report performance against the plans.
Need and Use of the Information: Information will be collected from
establishments as proof that standard operating plans have been
developed. Additionally, information must be reported and pertinent
records maintained on the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic
microorganisms on meat and poultry products. FSIS will use this
information during the inspection process to determine
[[Page 59156]]
whether an establishment should change its operating procedures so that
the public's health is protected.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 8,114.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Other (daily).
Total Burden Hours: 7,463,679.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Worksheet for Food Stamp Program Quality Control Reviews.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0074.
Summary of Collection: State agencies are required to perform
Quality Control Reviews for the Food Stamp Program in conjunction with
section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The food stamp worksheet
(FNS-380) provides a systematic means of aiding the State agency's
quality control reviewer in analyzing household case record; planning
and carrying out the field investigations; and gathering, comparing,
analyzing and evaluating the review data. Relevant information from the
case record, and documentation about individual cases is recorded on
the FNS-380.
Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS) will use the information from the FNS-380 to record identifying
information about the household and to also document and evaluate each
step of the field investigation process to determine eligibility and
payment amounts under FNS' approved State agency practices.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government;
Federal Government; individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 53.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 519,679.
Forest Service
Title: Youth Conservation Corps Application & Medical History
Forms.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0084.
Summary of Collection: Under Pub. L. 93-408, the Youth Conservation
Corps Act (YCC), the Forest Service provides seasonal employment for
eligible youth 15 to 18 years old. As part of this effort, the Forest
Service collects information from applicants to evaluate their
eligibility for employment with the agency through the program. Each
eligible youth, who wish to apply and be considered for employment in
the YCC program must submit an application form (FS 1800-18). This is a
seasonal program requiring new submission by applicants each year.
Selected participants must complete the medical history form and their
parent or guardian must sign. This is necessary to certify the youth's
physical fitness to serve in the YCC program.
Need and Use of the Information: All candidates interested in
participating in the YCC program must complete an application. Those
applicants, selected at random, complete the form FS 1800-3, Youth
Conservation Corps Medical History, which provides information needed
to determine certification of suitability, any special medical or
medication needs, and a file record to protect both the Federal
Government and individuals. If not used, the government's liability
risk is high, special needs of one individual may not be known, or the
screening of an applicant's physical suitability would be greatly
inhibited.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 18,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 6,000.
Forest Service
Title: Agreement to Initiate (ATI) and Exchange Agreement (EA)
OMB Control Number: 0596-0105.
Summary of Collection: Land exchanges are an important tool to
consolidate landownership for purposes of more efficient management; to
secure important Forest Plan objectives of resource management,
enhancement, development, and protection; and to fulfill other public
needs such as acquiring lands important for such resources as fisheries
habitat, wild and scenic rivers, wildlife habitat, and wilderness. A
land exchange is where the United States has identified either federal
land or federal interest in land available for exchange and a non-
Federal party has identified either private land or private interest in
land they are interested in exchanging. The primary authorities used to
perform land exchanges involving National Forest Systems lands include
the General Exchange Act, the Weeks Act, the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act and the Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act.
Need and use of the Information: The Forest Service (FS) will
collect information by phone, in face-to-face meetings, or by mail. FS
will also collect information such as the identification of the non-
Federal land exchange parties; the description of the lands and
interests to be exchanged, such as roads; the identification of all
reserve and outstanding interests, such as roads, minerals, and
easements; and all other terms and conditions necessary to complete
exchange. To not collect the information would mean the land exchange
was dropped.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 100.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 200.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Honey Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0153.
Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue State and national
estimates of crop and livestock production. General authority for these
data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, section
2204. Domestic honeybees are critical to the pollination of U.S. crops,
especially fruits and vegetables. Africanized bees, parasites,
diseases, and pesticides threaten the survival of bees. Programs are
provided by federal, State and local governments to assist in the
survival of bees and to encourage beekeepers to maintain bee colonies
Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on
the number of colonies, honey production, stocks, and prices. The
survey will provide data needed by the Department and other government
agencies to administer programs and to set trade quotas and tariffs.
Without the information, the agricultural industry would not be aware
of changes at the State and national level.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 7,041.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1,096.
Rural Business Service
Title: Intermediary Re-lending Program.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0021.
Summary or Collection: The objective of the Intermediary Relending
Program (IRP) is to improve community facilities and employment
opportunities and increase economic activities in rural areas by
financing business facilities and community development. This purpose
is achieved through loans made by the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (RBS) to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose
of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and
community development. The Food Security Act of 1985 provides USDA with
the authority to make loans to nonprofit entities who will in turn
provide financial assistance
[[Page 59157]]
to rural businesses to improve business, industry and employment
opportunities as well as provide a diversification of the economy in
rural areas.
Need and Use of the Information: The information requested is
necessary for RBS to process applications in a responsible manner, make
prudent credit and program decisions, and effectively monitor the
intermediaries' activities to protect the Government's financial
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used
appropriately. Various forms are used to identify the intermediary,
describe the intermediary's experience and expertise, describe how the
intermediary will operate its revolving loan fund, provide for debt
instruments, loan agreements, security, and other material necessary
for prudent credit decisions and reasonable program monitoring.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions;
Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 160.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 16,930.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Title: University Value-Added Research Grant.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0046.
Summary of Collection: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) authorizes the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture to use $300,000 to support research at a university
concerning the effects of projects for value-added agricultural
commodities or products on agricultural producers and the commodity
markets. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) will administer
this grant. RBS will collect information from applicants who must be an
accredited university. The university may contract with other parties
to contribute expertise or proprietary data that would not otherwise be
available to the research effort.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will use the information to
confirm that an applicant meets the eligibility requirements and that
the research proposals are consistent with the purposes set forth in
the statute. The information is also used to make a competitive
evaluation and rank the proposals in order to determine the grant
award. Information considered by the reviewers in ranking the proposals
are (1) the nature of the proposed research, (2) qualifications of the
researchers, (3) work plan and research budget and (4) measures to
evaluate the effectiveness of value-added projects.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Quarterly; Semi-annually.
Total Burden Hours: 479.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR Part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and
Interest.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is revising
procedures and conditions under which borrowers may request extensions
of the payment of principal and interest. RUS electric program provides
loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest rates and on terms
that are more favorable than those generally available from the private
sector. As a result of obtaining federal financing, RUS borrowers
receive economic benefits that exceed any direct economic costs
associated with complying with (RUS) regulations and requirements. The
authority, as amended, for these extensions is contained in Section 12
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and section 236 of the
``Disaster Relief Act of 1970.''
Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information
occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and
interest. Eligible purchases include financial hardship energy resource
conservation loans, renewable energy project, and contributions-in-aid
of construction. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to
borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their
repayment of taxpayer's monies.
Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 94.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 816.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Access.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0130.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) amended
its regulation in order to establish the Rural Broadband Access Loan
and Loan Guarantee Program. Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, amended
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act), to provide loans and
loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or
acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband
service in eligible rural communities in State and territories of the
United States. The regulation prescribes the types of loans available,
facilities financed and eligible applicants, as well as minimum credit
support requirements considered for a loan. In addition, Title VI of
the RE Act requires that Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make or
guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan,
together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower,
will be repaid in full within the time agreed.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine whether an applicant's eligibility to borrow from RUS under
the terms of the RE Act and that the applicant complies with statutory,
regulatory and administrative eligibility requirements for loan
assistance. RUS will use the information to determine that the
Government's security for loans made are reasonable adequate and that
the loans will be repaid within the time agreed.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 300.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 28,475.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0175.
Summary of Collection: The collection of crop planting and
production data is necessary for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
to calculate the producer's approved yield on the basis of actual
production history. Information collection relative to the occurrence
of crop damage or loss production and application for Noninsured Crop
Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is necessary for CCC to accept and
consider a request for assistance under NAP and to facilitate
eligibility determinations. NAP provides eligible producers of eligible
crops with protection to the catastrophic risk protection plan of crop
insurance. It helps reduce production risks faced by producers of crops
for which Federal crop insurance is not available. It also reduces
financial losses that occur when natural disasters cause a catastrophic
loss of production or prevented planting of an eligible crop. The Farm
Service Agency (FSA) will collect information using several forms.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect the producer's
name, address identification number, farm and tract, acreage,
ownership, location, crop history, planted acreage, production, yield,
share, etc. The information will be used to identify eligible NAP
[[Page 59158]]
participants, acreage and location, crop and commodities. If
information is not collected, FSA will not be able to identify and
determine eligible participants and crops being planted or produced, or
provide assistance to agricultural producers who as a result of natural
disaster have suffered catastrophic losses of agricultural crops or
commodities.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; Business or
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, local or
tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 291,500.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Weekly; Monthly; Other (bi-weekly and bi-monthly); Third party
disclosure.
Total Burden Hours: 2,143,562.
Agricultural Research Service
Title: Peer Review Related Forms for the Office of Scientific
Quality Review.
OMB Control Number: 0518-0028.
Summary of Collection: The Office of Scientific Quality Review
(OSQR) is an organizational unit of the Agricultural Research Service
(ARS) reporting to the Associate Administrator with primary
responsibility for planning and facilitating high quality scientific
and technical peer review of all agency prospective research project
plans. The Research Title of the 1998 Farm Bill, Pub. L. 105-185
section 103(d), set forth new requirements for peer reviews of ARS
research projects. ARS must obtain panel peer reviews of each research
project at least once every five years.
Need and Use of the Information: ARS will collect the following
information: Confidentiality agreement, panelist information, peer
review of an ARS research project, critique of ARS research project,
panelist expense report, and panelist invoice. The information is used
to manage the travel and stipend payments to panel reviewers and
provide well-organized feedback to ARS's researchers about their
projects. If information were not collected, ARS would not meet the
administrative or legislative requirements of the Peer Review Process
as mandated by Public Law 105-185.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit; Individuals or households; Farms; Federal
Government; State, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 135.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Weekly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 3,407.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1956-C, Debt Settlement--Community and Business
Programs.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0124.
Summary of Collection: Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit
agencies for agricultural and rural development for the United States
Department of Agriculture and offers supervised credit to develop
improve and operate family farms, modest housing, essential community
facilities, and business and industry across rural America. 7 CFR 1956-
C, Debt Settlement--Community and Business Programs provides policies
and procedures as well as a mechanism for debt settlement in connection
with Community Facilities loans and grants, Water and Waste Disposal
loans, direct Business and Industry loans, Indian Tribal Land
Acquisition loans and Irrigation and Drainage. The debt settlement
program provides the delinquent client with an equitable tool for the
compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or charge-off of a debt owed to
the Agency.
Need and Use of the Information: The field offices will collect
information from applicants, borrowers consultants, lenders, and
attorneys to determine eligibility, financial capacity and derive an
equitable resolution. This information collected is similar to that
required by a commercial lender in similar circumstances. Failure to
collect the information could result in improper servicing of these
loans.
Description of Respondents: Not for profit institutions;
Individuals, Households; Business or other for-profit; State, Local or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 813.
Rural Business--Cooperative Service
Title: CFG 1942-G, ``Rural business Enterprise Grants and
Television Demonstration Grants''.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0022.
Summary of Collection: Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act authorizes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to
facilitate the development of small and emerging private businesses,
industry and related employment for improving the economy in rural
communities. Television Demonstration Grants (TDG) are available to
statewide, private nonprofit, public television systems to provide
information on agriculture and other issues of importance to farmers
and other rural residents. This regulation, 7 CFR Part 1942-G, Rural
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) that covers the administration of
this program including eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria
to make funding selection decisions.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will use this information to
determine (1) eligibility; (2) the specific purposes for which grant
funds will be utilized; (3) time frames or dates by which actions
surrounding the use of funds will be accomplished; (4) who will be
carrying out the purposes for which the grant is made; (5) project
priority; (6) applicants experience in administering a rural economic
development program; (7) employment improvement; and (8) mitigation of
economic distress of a community through the creation or salvation of
jobs or emergency situations. If the information were not collected,
RBS would not be able to determine the eligibility of applicant(s) for
the authorized purposes. Collecting this information infrequently would
have an advertise effect on the Agency's ability to administer the
grant program.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms;
Business or other for profit; Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 720.
Frequency of Responses: Record-keeping; Reporting: Monthly; On
Occasion; Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 22,395.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Tuberculosis Testing for Imported Cattle.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0224.
Summary of Collection: Under the authority of Title 21, U.S.C., the
Secretary of Agriculture is permitted to prevent, control and eliminate
domestic diseases such as tuberculosis, as well as to take actions to
prevent and to manage exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth,
rinderpest, and other foreign diseases. Disease prevention is the most
effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and
enhancing the ability of U.S. producers to compete in the global market
of animal and animal product trade. The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) published an interim rule that added
additional requirements concerning the importation of certain cattle
into the United States. APHIS will collect information using form VS
17-129, ``Application for Import or In Transit Permit.''
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information
from the permit application regarding the type, number, and
identification of the
[[Page 59159]]
animals to be exported to the United States, as well as information
concerning the origin, intended date and location of arrival, routes of
travel, and destination of the animals. APHIS will also collect
information that certified that the herd in which the cattle was born
and raised has tested TB-negative to a whole herd test. Failure to
collect this information would make it impossible for APHIS to
effectively evaluate the TB risks associated with cattle importation
from Mexico, thereby increasing the likelihood that healthy cattle and
bison throughout the United states will be exposed to tuberculosis.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 100.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 15,000.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Title: Registration Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 0583-NEW.
Summary of Collection: This information collection requests new
burden hours for regulatory reporting requirements associated with the
registration of meat brokers, poultry products brokers, renders, animal
food manufactures, wholesalers, warehousemen, and persons that engage
in the business of buying, selling, transporting in commerce, or
importing, any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased livestock or poultry,
or parts of the carcasses of livestock or poultry that have died
otherwise than by slaughter. The Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of
the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) FSIS will collect information using FSIS Form 5020-
1, ``Registration of Meat and Poultry Handlers''.
Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information
using FSIS 5020-1, ensuring that all meat and poultry establishments
produce safe, wholesome, and unadulterated product, and properly
labeled and packaged. If the information were not collected, it would
reduce the effectiveness of the meat and poultry inspection program.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 9,125.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Other (Once).
Total Burden Hours: 1,521.
Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-25880 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M