The TASC program is authorized by Section 3205 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107â171), as amended, and became effective on May 13, 2002. Program regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1487. Section 3205 provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program to address unique barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. The program was reauthorized through 2023 by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
Based on the stakeholder input received during this revision cycle, FAS increased the burden estimate for TASC projects from 32 hours per project to 50 hours. This new number is in line with the burden estimates that we received from stakeholders. FAS also decreased the total estimated number of responses from 50 to 25, as the program now receives fewer applications for funding each year. The impact of these two changes decreased the total burden hours from 1,600 to 1,250, and decreased total cost associated with the burden from $107,500 to $78,500, as reflected in Supporting Statement A.
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.