2015-26529. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 14, 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 November 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: Cost of Pollination Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.

Summary of Collection: The primary objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are to prepare and issue official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, disposition and prices, economic statistics, and environmental statistics related to agriculture and to conduct the Census of Agriculture and its follow-on surveys. As pollinators (honeybees) are vital to the agricultural industry for producing food for the world's population. NASS' primary focus will center on costs associated with honey bee pollination, but will also collect some basic information relating to other forms of pollination. General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S.C. Title 7, Section 2204.

Need and Use of the Information: NASS plans to collect economic data under this new collection using the “Cost of Pollination Inquiry” survey. Data relating to the targeted crops (fruits, nuts, vegetable and specialty crops) will be collected for the total number of acres that rely on honey bee pollination, the number of honey bee colonies that were used on those acres, and any cash fees associated with honey bee pollination. By publishing both regional and crop specific pollination costs, both, crop farmers and beekeepers will be able to benefit from this additional data.

Description of Respondents: Farmers.

Number of Respondents: 50,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Once a year.

Total Burden Hours: 14,987.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.