2017-03496. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 17, 2017.

The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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), New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [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 by March 27, 2017. 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.

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 and Tobacco 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 collects the information using various forms. 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: 1,002.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 144.

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 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: 752.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 618.

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: 690.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 26,524.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for 7 CFR, Part 29.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0056.

Summary of Collection: The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 518) eliminated price supports and marketing quotas for all tobacco beginning with the 2005 crop year. Mandatory inspection and grading of domestic and imported tobacco was eliminated as well as the mandatory pesticide testing of imported tobacco and the tobacco Market News Program. The Tobacco Inspection Act (U.S.C. 511) requires that all tobacco sold at designated auction markets in the U.S. be inspected and graded. Provision is also made for interested parties to request inspection, pesticide testing and grading services on an “as needed” basis.

Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected through various forms and other documents for the inspection and certification process. Upon receiving request information from tobacco dealers and/or manufacturers, tobacco inspectors will pull samples and apply U.S. Standard Grades to samples to provide a Tobacco Inspection Certificate (TB-92). Also, samples can be submitted to a USDA laboratory for pesticide testing and a detailed analysis is provided to the customer.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 50.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 3,851.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.