2010-1541. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 21, 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), [e-mail] or fax [phone] 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 [phone].

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.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Title: Fruits, Nut, and Specialty Crops.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0039.

Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official state and national estimates of crop and livestock production. Estimates of fruit, tree nuts, and specialty crops are an integral part of this program. These estimates support the NASS strategic plan to cover all agricultural cash receipts. The authority to collect these data activities is granted under U.S. Code title 7, Section 2204. Information is collected on a voluntary basis from growers, processors, and handlers through surveys.

Need and Use of the Information: Data reported on fruit, nut, specialty crops and Hawaii tropical crops are used by NASS to estimate acreage, yield, production, utilization, and crop value in States with significant commercial production. These estimates are essential to farmers, processors, and handlers in making production and marketing decisions. Estimates from these inquiries are used by market order administrators in their determination of expected supplies of crop under federal and state market orders as well as competitive fruits and nuts.

Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 63,305.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually; Quarterly; Semi-annually; Monthly.

Total Burden Hours: 16,489.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.