E6-12408. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 27, 2006.

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.

Farm Service Agency

Title: Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act Report.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0097.

Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires foreign investors to report in a timely manner all held, acquired, or transferred U.S. agricultural land to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Authority for the collection of the information was delegated by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Foreign investors may obtain form FSA-153, AFIDA Report, from their local FSA county office or from the FSA Internet site. Investors are required to file a report within 90 days of the acquisition, transfer, or change in the use of their land.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the AFIDA Reports is used to monitor the effect of foreign investment upon family farms and rural communities and in the preparation of a voluntary report to Congress and the President. Congress reviews the report and decides if regulatory action is necessary to limit the amount of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land. If this information was not collected, USDA could not effectively monitor foreign investment and the impact of such holdings upon family farms and rural communities.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 4,375.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 904.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.