[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 59846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29314]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 214 / Wednesday, November 5, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 59846]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. TB-97-15]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection in support of the Dairy and 
Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 and the Tobacco Inspection Act and the 
Regulations Governing the Tobacco Standards.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 5, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact John W. Foster, Chief, 
Standardization and Review Branch, Tobacco Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 511 Annex 
Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456, Telephone (202) 
205-0744 and Fax (202) 205-1191.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for 7 CFR part 29.
    OMB Number: 0581-0056.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511 et seq.) 
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 and grading services on an as needed 
basis. Also, the Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 
511r) authorizes the Secretary to inspect all tobacco offered for 
importation into the United States for grade and quality except cigar 
and oriental tobacco which must be certified by the importer as to kind 
and type, and in the case of cigar tobacco, that such tobacco will be 
used solely in the manufacture of cigars.
    The information collection requirements authorized for the programs 
under the Tobacco Inspection Act and the Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment 
Act of 1983 include: applications for inspection of tobacco, 
applications and other information used in the approval of new auction 
markets or the extension of services to designated tobacco markets, and 
information required to be provided in connection with auction sales.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.40 hours per response.
    Respondents: Primarily tobacco companies, tobacco manufactures, 
import inspectors, and small businesses or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,504.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,569.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to John W. Foster, 
Chief, Standardization and Review Branch, Tobacco Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 
511 Annex Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456 and 
will be available for the public inspection in Room 511 Annex Building, 
USDA, AMS, Tobacco Programs, Standardization and Review Branch, 300 
12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250. All comments received will 
be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the 
same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.
    Dated: October 30, 1997.
William O. Coats,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Tobacco Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-29314 Filed 10-31-97; 4:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M