[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 7998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4109]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

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

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection in support of the CCC's Export Enhancement 
Program (EEP) based on re-estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 22, 1997.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact L. T. McElvain, Director, 
Commodity Credit Corporation Operations Division, Foreign Agricultural 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, AgBox 1035, Washington, DC 
20250-1035, telephone (202) 720-6211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: CCC's Export Enhancement Program (EEP).
    OMB Number: 0551-0028.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The major objectives of the EEP are to expand U.S. 
agricultural exports and to challenge unfair trade practices by paying 
cash to exporters as bonuses, allowing them to sell U.S. agricultural 
products in targeted countries at competitive prices. At the current 
time, more than 87 countries and 5 country regions are targeted export 
destinations under the program and more than 311 exporters are eligible 
to participate. Under 7 CFR part 1494, exporters are required to submit 
the following: (1) information required for program participation 
(section 1494.301), (2) performance security (section 1494.401), (3) 
export sales information in connection with applying for a CCC bonus 
(section 1494.501), (4) evidence of export and related information 
(section 1494.701), and (5) evidence that the eligible commodity 
entered into the eligible country (section 1494.401). In addition, each 
exporter must maintain accurate records showing sales and deliveries of 
the eligible commodity exported in connection with an agreement made 
under the EEP as outlined in section 1494.1001. The information 
collected is used by CCC to manage, plan for and evaluate the use of, 
and account for Government resources. The reports and records are 
required to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for these 
collections is estimated to average .3535 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities, U.S. 
banks or other financial institutions, producer associations, U.S. 
export trade associations, and U.S. Government agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40 per annum.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 139 per annum.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 1,965.46 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Valerie 
Countiss, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
6713.
    Requests for comments: Send comments regarding (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 automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to L.T. McElvain, Director, Commodity 
Credit Corporation Operations Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, AgBox 1035, Washington, DC 20250-1035.
    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.
Christopher E. Goldthwait,
General Sales Manager, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice 
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 97-4109 Filed 2-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M