02-14736. Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request an extension for a currently approved information collection, the Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 16, 2002, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.

OMB Number: 0535-0004.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2002.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an 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, disposition, and prices. The Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Program obtains basic poultry statistics from voluntary cooperators throughout the Nation. Statistics are published on placement of pullet chicks for hatchery supply flocks; hatching reports for broiler-type, egg-type, and turkey eggs; number of layers on hand; total table egg production; and production and income estimates for eggs, chickens, and turkeys.

This information is used by producers, processors, feed dealers, and others in the marketing and supply channels as a basis for production and marketing decisions. Government agencies use these estimates to evaluate poultry product supplies. The information is an important consideration in government purchases for the school lunch program and in formulation of export-import policy. The Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys have approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that the surveys 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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,900.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,500 hours.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS 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. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

Dated: May 28, 2002.

Rich Allen,

Associate Administrator.