2011-6963. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 21, 2011.

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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0093.

Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the responsibility for implementing and overseeing programs for a variety of commodities including beef, blueberries, cotton, dairy, eggs, fluid milk, Hass avocados, honey, lamb, mangos, mushrooms, peanuts, popcorn, pork, potatoes, sorghum, soybeans, and watermelons. Various Acts authorizes these programs to carry out projects relating to research, consumer information, advertising, sales promotion, producer information, market development and product research to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, and utilization of their respective commodities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has the responsibility to appoint board members and approve the boards' budgets, plans, and projects and for foreign projects, the Foreign Agricultural Service. AMS' objective in carrying out this responsibility is to assure the following: (1) Funds are collected and properly accounted for; (2) expenditures of all funds are for the purposes authorized by enabling legislation; and (3) the board's administration of the programs conforms to USDA policy.

Need and Use of the Information: The boards administer the various programs utilizing a variety of forms to carry out their responsibilities. Only authorized employees of the various boards and USDA employees will use the information collected. If this data were collected less frequently, (1) it would hinder data needed to collect and refund assessments in a timely manner and result in delayed or even lost revenue; (2) boards would be unable to carry out the responsibilities of their respective Acts; and (3) requiring reports less frequently than monthly would impose additional record keeping requirements.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit, Farms.

Number of Respondents: 324,330.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion, Weekly, Monthly, Semi-annually, Annually; Record-keeping;

Total Burden Hours: 167,211.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.