E7-15931. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 9, 2007.

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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Reporting Forms under Milk Marketing Order Programs.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0032.

Summary of Collection: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk in the area it covers. Currently, there are 10 milk marketing orders regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is needed to administer the classified pricing system and related requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers, the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in the order. Penalties are imposed for order violation, such as the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 740.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 21,819.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for 7 CFR, Part 29.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0056.

Summary of Collection: The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 518) eliminated price supports and marketing quotas for all tobacco beginning with the 2005 crop year. Mandatory inspection and grading of domestic and imported tobacco was eliminated as well as the mandatory pesticide testing of imported tobacco and the tobacco Market News Program. The Tobacco Inspection Act (U.S.C. 511) requires that all tobacco sold at designated auction markets in the U.S. be inspected and graded. Provision is also made for interested parties to request inspection, pesticide testing and grading services on an “as needed” basis.

Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected through various forms and other documents for the inspection and certification process. Upon receiving request information from tobacco dealers and/or manufacturers, tobacco inspectors will pull samples and apply U.S. Standard Grades to samples to provide a Tobacco Inspection Certificate (TB-92). Also, samples can be submitted to a USDA laboratory for pesticide testing and a detailed analysis is provided to the customer.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;

Number of Respondents: 50.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; On occasion,

Total Burden Hours: 3,851.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Program.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0198.

Summary of Collection: The authority for Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order is established under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. These programs carry out projects relating to research, consumer information, advertising, producer information, market development, and product research with the goal of maintaining and expanding their existing markets and uses and strengthening their position in the marketplace.

Need and Use of the Information: Various forms will be used to collect information for reporting, background, certification, and nomination and is the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the program. The information is not available from other sources because it relates specifically to individual lamb producers, feeders, seed stock producers, exporters and first handlers.

Description of Respondents: Farms; Farms; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 3,953.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Monthly.

Total Burden Hours: 8,066.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.