2015-12258. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 15, 2015.

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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by June 19, 2015 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 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. 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: Agricultural Resource Management, Chemical Use, and Post-harvest Chemical Use Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0218.

Summary of Collection: The primary objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are to provide the public with timely and reliable agricultural production and economic statistics, as well as environmental and specialty agricultural related statistics. The surveys—the Agricultural Resource Management Study (ARMS), the Vegetable Chemical Use Surveys, the Fruit Chemical Use Surveys, and the new Microbial Food Safety Practices—Packer Survey—are critical to NASS' ability to fulfill these objectives and to build the congressionally mandated database on agricultural chemical use and related farm practices. NASS uses a variety of survey instruments to collect the information in conjunction with these studies.

Need and Use of the Information: The ARMS provides a robust data base of information to address varied needs of policy makers. There are many uses for the information from this study including an evaluation of the safety of the nation's food supply; input to the farm sector portion of the gross domestic product; and to provide a barometer on the financial condition of farm businesses. ARMS is the only annual source of whole farm information available for objective evaluation of many critical issues related to agriculture and the rural economy, such as: whole farm finance data, marketing information, input usage, production practices, and crop substitution possibilities. Without these data, decision makers cannot analyze and report on critical issues that affect farms and farm households when pesticide regulatory actions are being considered.

Description of Respondents: Farms.

Number of Respondents: 91,916.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 91,208.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.