99-3741. Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 7853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3741]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 
5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection, the Stocks Report.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 1999 be 
assured to consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4117 South 
Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Stocks Report.
    OMB Number: 0535-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Stock Report Surveys provide 
estimates of off-farm stocks of grains rice, potatoes peanuts, hops, 
and dry beans. Off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to 
estimate stocks in all positions. Stocks statistics are used by the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs, by State 
agencies to develop research and promote the marketing of the products 
and by producers to find their best market opportunity. The Stocks 
Report has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to 
request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. These data 
will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually 
identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by 
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which 
requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data 
provided by respondents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 18 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at [phone].

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 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. Comments may be sent to: Larry 
Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, D.C. 
20250-2000. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., January 27, 1999.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3741 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am]
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