Subsequent to the passage of the 1996 Farm Bill, a 6 month emergency clearance was given in June of 1996 for the information collection in OMB no. 0560-0169. The terms of clearance specified at that time required USDA to provide additional analysis in the full non-emergency clearance package for acreage reports, OMB no. 0560-0004, that demonstrated the practical utility of the collection of acreage data. In January of 1997 OMB granted an extension for OMB no. 0560-0004, noting that the terms of clearance specified for acreage reports in OMB no. 0560-0169 were still pending. In June of 1997, this clearance expired. As part of the Information Streamlining Plan Hearing for USDA held in July of 1997, OMB specifically asked USDA to describe the acreage reports that USDA would continue to collect and their practicaly utility. They also asked USDA about the continued collection of voluntary acreage reports that have no practical utility for the agency, noting that OMB does not and will not approve these collections. The agency was specifically asked to detail their plans to inform field offices that this information should no longer be collected. In response, USDA noted their commitment to an in-depth review of OMB-approved information collections, including acreage reports. They stated that their analysis of acreage reports would be completed by September 30, 1997 and that the results would be provided to OMB. They also stated that FSA had nearly completed an interim analysis regarding acreage reports that was requested in the terms of clearance and that this analysis would be provided to OMB. On September 30, 1997, USDA submitted for OMB clearance an information collection package for Reports of Acreage, OMB no. 0560-0004. The Agency's submission did not provide a sufficient response to the terms of clearance imposed in June of 1996 and, therefore, did not adequately demonstrate the practical utility of the information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. As described in the terms of clearance for OMB no. 0560-0169, in order to demonstrate the practical utility of the collection of acreage data, USDA shall: 1. Demonstrate that USDA will inform participants in the program authorized by part 1412 what data is required for the program and which data is no longer required. The agency shall indicate the practical utility of the fruit and vegetable acreage data that it requests from the producer, and demonstrate that it is the minimum necessary to properly implement the program authorized in part 1412. 2. Demonstrate that USDA will inform participants in the programs authorized by parts 1421 and 1427 what data is actually required, and by when, in order to participate in these programs. The agency shall indicate the practical utility of the acreage data that it requests from the producer and demonstrate that it is the minimum necessarty to properly implement the program authorized in parts 1421 and 1427. 3. Explain any connection between this acreage data and the collection of similar data by National Agricultural Statistical Service or other USDA entities, and identify efforts to avoid duplication. 4. Demonstrate that the organization, including (if applicable) the use of one form for more than one program, and timing of the information collection is efficient and avoids collecting information without practical utility. Not all programs require the same data at the same time, and the agency shall consider ways of collecting data only as needed to discourage unnecessary or unnecessarily early reporting on a "just in case" basis. This may require developing an acreage report form and/or collection strictly for fruits and vegetables, and then another, later, information collection for the loan programs, if the producer wishes to remain eligible after the final reporting date. If the agency intends to use the same form for more than one program or purpose, USDA shall demonstrate that producers will be informed at the time of reporting which data items they must complete, and which data items the do not (yet) need to complete, for the programs in which they wish to participate. 5. Include and explain any instruction to County or other staff involved in this information collection, and demonstrate how those instructions are consistent with the information collection approval. 6. Evaluate the practical utility of any field level, rather than aggregate, acreage reporting, where the agency requests it. For example, the agency shall evaluate the practical utility of aerial photography in information collections. 7. Examine burdens, such as cost and labor, on the reporting public and the agency, and discuss agency efforts to reduce burdens. 8. Explain all uses of the acreage data by the agency, including its practical utility for compliance monitoring. The agency shall also examine the implications of not collecting the data it intends to use to monitor compliance, and evaluate whether the costs of not collecting the data outweigh the costs of collecting it. 9. Discuss agency efforts to identify new technologies, such as remote sensing, that may cost effectively reduce the need for reporting and/or recordkeeping. 10. Discuss agency efforts to reduce the burden in coming years. For instance, the agency shall discuss efforts to determine circumstances when participants need not report subsequent to an initial sign up, may check boxes rather than provide numbers, or report only upon changes. Discuss agency efforts to reduce the need for participants to report in person, or to report previously reported information. 11. Discuss agency efforts to identify circumstances in which recordkeeping requirements may substitute for reporting requirements. In addition to these terms, USDA shall also: 1. Explain any planned use of acreage data by third parties. 2. Explain how the information collected is sufficiently representative to allow for supply and demand projections, forecasts, or any other type of analysis given the proposed reduction of the information collected. 3. Explain whether CRP, RMA, and other programs require that an FSA-578 be completed to fulfill program requirements or whether these agencies allow the information submitted with the FSA-578 to be used as an option in fulfilling program requirements. 4. With respect to inclusion and explanation of any instructions to County and other staff involved in this information collection described in no. 5 above, please include details on the elimination of the collection of voluntary acreage reports. As requested in the ISP hearing, please detail plans to inform field offices that voluntary information should no longer be collected, including revisions to handbook 2-CP and any other relevant handbooks or notices. Also please detail any planned changes to forms, instructions, software, procedures, and data processing that will reduce unnecessary and unapproved collections.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
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FSA requires that producers report acreage for crops that need verification of compliance, loan eligibility, or crop loss.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Report of Acreage -- 7 CFR Part 718