[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75954-75955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30531]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
December 1, 2010.
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), [email protected] 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) 720-8681.
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.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0008.
Summary of Collection: The U.S. Cotton Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 51
53 and 55, authorizes the USDA to supervise the various activities
directly associated with the classification or grading of cotton,
cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA Standards. The
Cotton Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service carries out this
supervision and is responsible for the maintenance of the functions to
which these forms relate. USDA is the only Federal agency authorized to
establish and promote the use of the official cotton standards of the
U.S. in interstate and foreign commerce and to supervise the various
activities associated with the classification or grading of cotton,
cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA standards.
Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service
uses the following forms to collection information:
Form FD-210 is submitted by owners of cotton to request cotton
classification services. The request contains information for USDA to
ascertain proper ownership of the samples submitted, to distribute
classification results, and bill for services. Information about the
origin and handling of the cotton is necessary in order to properly
evaluate and classify the samples.
Form CN-246 is submitted by cotton gins and warehouses seeking to
serve as licensed samplers. Licenses issued by the USDA-AMS Cotton
Program authorize the warehouse/gin to draw and submit samples to
insure the proper application of standards in the classification of
cotton and to prevent deception in their use.
Form CN-383 is a package of forms designated as CN-383-a through
CN-383-k that is submitted by cotton producers, ginners, warehousemen,
cooperatives, manufacturers, merchants, and crushers interested in
acquiring cotton classification standards and round testing services.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 530.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 136.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Cotton Classification and Market News Service.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0009.
Summary of Collection: The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7
U.S. Code 471-476, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect
and publish annually statistics or estimates concerning the grades and
staple lengths
[[Page 75955]]
of stocks of cotton. In addition, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
collects, authenticates, publishes, and distributes timely information
of the market supply, demand, location, and market prices for cotton (7
U.S.C. 473B). This information is needed and used by all segments of
the cotton industry.
Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on
the quality of cotton in the carryover stocks along with the size or
volume of the carryover. Growers use this information in making
decisions relative to marketing their present crop and planning for the
next one; cotton merchants use the information in marketing decisions;
and the mills that provide the data also use the combined data in
planning their future purchase to cover their needs. Importers of U.S.
cotton use the data in making their plans for purchases of U.S. cotton.
AMS and other government agencies are users of the compiled
information.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 725.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 770.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Regulations
(Other than Rules of Practice) Under the Perishable Agricultural
Commodities Act, 1930.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0031.
Summary of Collection: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
(PACA) establishes a code of fair trading practices covering the
marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or
foreign commerce. It protects growers, shippers and distributors by
prohibiting unfair practices. PACA requires nearly all persons who
operate as commission merchants, dealers and brokers buying or selling
fruit and or vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce to be
licensed. The license for retailers and grocery wholesalers is
effective for three years and for all other licensees up to three
years, unless withdrawn.
Need and Use of the Information: Using various forms, AMS will
collect information from the applicant to administer licensing
provisions under the Act, to adjudicate contract disputes, and for the
purpose of enforcing the PACA and its regulations. If this information
were unavailable, it would be impossible to identify and regulate those
individuals or firms that are restricted due to sanctions imposed
because of the reparation or administrative actions.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 14,492.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 87,328.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Reporting Forms under Milk Marketing Order Programs.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0032.
Summary Of Collection: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as
amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while
protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order
regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk
in the area it covers. Currently, there are 10 milk marketing orders
regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is
needed to administer the classified pricing system and related
requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting
purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers,
the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used
by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other
components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market
administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly
price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in
the order. Penalties are imposed for violation of the order, such as
the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 740.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 22,315.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-30531 Filed 12-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P