Notice of Intent to Request an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

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.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.L.

No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5

CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the

National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request

an extension of a currently approved information collection, the Honey

Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 30, 1997 to be

assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Services, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4117

South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Honey Survey.

OMB Number: 0535-0153.

Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1997.

Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information

collection.

Abtract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural

Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates

of crop and livestock production. The Honey Survey collects information

on the number of colonies and honey production, stocks and prices. The

survey provides data needed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and

other government agencies to administer programs and to set trade

quotas and tariffs. State universities and agriculture departments also

use data from this survey. The Honey Survey has approval from OMB for a

three year period. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved

for another three years.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 11 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,100.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,100 hours.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can

be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB

Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

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, such as through the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Larry

Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, DC

20250-2000.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the

request for OMB approval.

All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, D.C., March 10, 1997.

Donald M. Bay,

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 97-7583 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]

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