[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 237 (Monday, December 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64856-64857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31233]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the intention of the Rural Business- Cooperative
Service (RBS) to request an extension of a currently approved
information collection in support of the Cooperative Development
Division (CDD), Cooperative Development Program.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 7, 1997 to
be assured of consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Wells, Director, CDD, Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Cooperative Development Division,
STOP 3254, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3254.
Telephone: (202) 720-3350.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Cooperative Services Questionnaire: Market Potential for New
Cooperatives, Buyer Survey for New Cooperative Activity.
OMB Number: 0570-0009.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1996.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) USDA,
formerly the Cooperative Services (ACS), conducts feasibility studies
to assist in the development of new cooperatives. The Cooperative
Development Division specializes in technical assistance to
agricultural and rural producer groups interested in organizing a
cooperative, and to emerging or developing co-ops, so they can: (a) use
sensible economic judgment, (b) determine co-op feasibility, (c) meet
an economic need, (d) successfully operate on sound business principles
and, (e) increase member income. In order to carry out the Agency's
mission, RBS needs to collect information from the cooperative
community.
The authority to carry out RBS mission is defined in the
Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (44 Stat. 802-1926), and other
regulations listed below.
[[Page 64857]]
Authority and Duties of Division (7 U.S.C. & 453)
(a) The division shall render service to associations of producers
of agricultural products, and federations and subsidiaries thereof,
engaged in the cooperative marketing of agricultural products,
including processing, warehousing, manufacturing, storage, the
cooperative purchasing of farm supplies, credit, financing, insurance,
and other cooperative activities.
(b) The division is authorized:
(1) To acquire, analyze and disseminate economic, statistical, and
historical information regarding the progress, organization, and
business methods of cooperative associations in the United States and
foreign countries.
(2) To conduct studies of the economic, legal, financial, social,
and other phases of cooperation, and publish the results thereof. Such
studies shall include the analyses of the organization, operation,
financial and merchandising problems of cooperative associations.
(3) To make surveys and analyses if deemed advisable of the
accounts and business practices of representative cooperative
associations upon their request; to report to the association so
surveyed to results thereof, and with the consent of the association so
surveyed to publish summaries of the results of such surveys, together
with similar facts, for the guidance of cooperative associations and
for the purpose of assisting cooperative associations in developing
methods of business and market analysis.
(4) To confer and advise with committees or groups of producers, if
deemed advisable, that may be desirous of forming a cooperative
association and to make an economic survey and analysis of the facts
surrounding the production and marketing of the agricultural product or
products which the association, if formed, would handle or market.
(5) To acquire from all available sources information concerning
crop prospects, supply, demand, current receipts, exports, imports, and
prices of the agricultural products handled or marketed by cooperative
associations, and to employ qualified commodity marketing specialists
to summarize and analyze this information and disseminate the same
among cooperative associations, and others.
(6) To promote the knowledge of cooperative principles and
practices and to cooperate, in promoting such knowledge, with
educational and marketing agencies, cooperative associations, and
others.
(7) To make such special studies, in the United States and foreign
countries, and to acquire and disseminate such information and findings
as may be useful in the development and practice of cooperation.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .5 hours per response.
Respondents: Mainly buyers of agricultural products in domestic
market areas in which proposed cooperatives would be expected to market
their member's products.
Estimated number of Respondents: 105
Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 52.5 hours per year.
The Cooperative Development Division specializes in technical
assistance to agricultural and rural producer groups interested in
organizing a cooperative, and to emerging or developing co-ops, so they
can: (a) use sensible economic judgment, (b) determine co-op
feasibility, (c) meet an economic need, (d) successfully operate on
sound business principles and, (e) increase member income.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Sam
Spencer, Rural Business Team Information Collection Coordinator, at
(202) 720-9588.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed
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
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Sam
Spencer, Rural Business Team Information Collection Coordinator,
Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-0743, or may be submitted via the Internet by
addressing them to comments @ rus.usda.gov and must contain the words
Buyer Survey. All responses to this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record.
Dated: November 2, 1996.
Wilbur T. Peer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31233 Filed 12-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U
