[Federal Register: June 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 120)]
[Notices]
[Page 38497-38498]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Intent To Reinstate and Change an 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.
104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320
(60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intent of the
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to reinstate with change
an information collection, the Agricultural Practices Survey.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 25, 2000, to
be assured of consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4117 South Building,
Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: The Agricultural Practices Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0239.
Type of Request: Intent to Reinstate and Change an Information Collection.
Abstract: The Agricultural Practices Survey will be conducted in
late 2000 and early 2001 in 15 states: Alabama, Arizona, California,
Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This survey
complies with President Clinton's October 1997 directive, ``Initiative
to Ensure the Safety of Imported and Domestic Fruits and Vegetables.''
The purpose of the survey is to analyze data on agricultural practices
related to microbial food safety. Data will be collected on sources of
vegetable microbial contamination such as water; manure, worker, field
and facility sanitation, and crop identification systems.
NASS conducted a similar survey in the spring of 2000 to begin to
establish a baseline of current agricultural practices in the fruit and
vegetable industry. The 2001 effort will target more specific
production practices involving fresh market vegetable production. NASS
will summarize the 15-state survey data and publish estimates of
frequency of operations carrying out basic agricultural practices.
Summarized aggregated data will be made available to the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA). FDA will use the summary data to analyze current agricultural
practices and to enhance the baseline established to evaluate changes
in agricultural practices. USDA will use the data to develop
educational outreach materials for fresh market vegetable growers and
packers.
These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C.
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C.
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response.
Respondents: Fresh market vegetable growers and packinghouses.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,600 hours.
Copies of this information collection and related instructions can
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, 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, including through the use of appropriate
[[Page 38498]]
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be
sent to: Ginny McBride, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building,
Washington, D.C. 20250-2000.
All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.
Signed at Washington, D.C., May 16, 2000.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-15564 Filed 6-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P
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