2012-20643. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 17, 2012.

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.

Foreign Agricultural Service

Title: CCC's Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102).

OMB Control Number: 0551-0004.

Summary of Collection: The Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) is administered by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program provides guarantees to exporters in order to maintain and increase overseas importers ability to purchase U.S. agricultural goods. The Export Credit Guarantee Program underwrites credit extended by U.S. private banks to approved foreign banks using dollar-denominated, irrevocable letters of credit. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect information from the guarantee application submitted by the participants in writing (via fax or email) or mail.

Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information from participating U.S. exporters in order to determine the exporter's eligibility for program benefits. The information is also used in fulfilling CCC obligation under the issued payment guarantee. If the information were not collected CCC would be unable to determine if export sales under the program would be eligible for coverage or, if coverage conformed to program requirements.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 73.

Frequency of Responses: Record keeping, Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 2,555.

Foreign Agricultural Service

Title: Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD) and Market Access Program (MAP).

OMB Control Number: 0551-0026.

Summary of Collection: The basic authority for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD) is contained in Title VII of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, 7 U.S.C. 5721, et seq. Program regulations appear at 7 CFR Part 1484. Title VII directs the Secretary of Agriculture to “establish and, in cooperation with eligible trade organization, carry out a foreign market development cooperator program to maintain and develop foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities and products.” The primary objective of the Market Access Program (MAP) is to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-share assistance to eligible trade organizations that implement a foreign market development program. The programs are administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Need and Use of the Information: The collected information will be used by FAS to manage, plan, evaluate, and account for government resources. Specifically, data is used to assess the extent to which: Applicant organizations represent U.S. commodity interests; benefits derived from market development effort will translate back to the broadest possible range of beneficiaries; the market development efforts will lead to increases in consumption and imports of U.S. agricultural commodities; the applicant is able and willing to commit personnel and financial resources to assure adequate development, supervision and execution of project activities; and private organizations are able and willing to support the promotional program with aggressive marketing of the commodity in question. Without the collected information the program could not be implemented.

Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 71.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 93,746.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.