82 FR 13089 - Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 45 (March 9, 2017)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection used in support of the voluntary grading and certification of poultry products, rabbit products, shell eggs, meat, meat products, and Quality Systems Verification Programs (OMB 0581-0128).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13089-13090]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04667]


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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 45 / Thursday, March 9, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 13089]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-17-0008]


Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural 
Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection used in support of the 
voluntary grading and certification of poultry products, rabbit 
products, shell eggs, meat, meat products, and Quality Systems 
Verification Programs (OMB 0581-0128).

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by using the electronic process available at 
www.regulations.gov. Written comments may also be submitted to Quality 
Assessment Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program; Agricultural 
Marketing Service, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.; Room 3932-S, 
Stop 0258; Washington, DC 20250-0258; or by facsimile to (202) 690-
2746. All comments should reference the docket number AMS-LPS-17-0008, 
the date of submission, and the page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. All comments received will be posted without change, 
including any personal information provided, and will be made available 
for public inspection at the above physical address during regular 
business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Degenhart, Assistant to the 
Director, Quality Assessment Division, at (202) 260-8417, or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview of This Information Collection

    (1) Agency: USDA, AMS.
    (2) Title: Regulations for Voluntary Grading, Certification, and 
Standards--7 CFR 54, 56, 62, and 70.
    (3) OMB Number: 0581-0128.
    (4) Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2017.
    (5) Type of Request: Request for extension of and revision of a 
currently approved information collection.
    (6) Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA) (7 
U.S.C. 1621-1627) directs and authorizes the USDA to develop and 
improve standards of quality, grades, grading programs, and 
certification services which facilitate the marketing of agricultural 
products. To provide programs and services, section 203(h) of the AMA 
(7 U.S.C. 1622(h)) directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture 
to inspect, certify, and identify the class, quality, quantity, and 
condition of agricultural products under such rules and regulations as 
the Secretary may prescribe, including assessment and collection of 
fees for the cost of service. The regulations in 7 CFR 54, 56, and 70 
provide a voluntary program for grading, certification and standards of 
shell eggs, poultry products, rabbit products, meats, prepared meats, 
and meat products. The regulation in 7 CFR 62--Quality Systems 
Verification Programs (QSVP) is a collection of voluntary, audit-based, 
user-fee funded programs that allow applicants to have program 
documentation and program processes assessed by AMS auditor(s) and 
other USDA officials.
    AMS also provides other types of voluntary services under these 
regulations, including contract and specification acceptance services 
and verification of product, processing, further processing, 
temperature, and quantity. Because this is a voluntary program, 
respondents request or apply for the specific service they wish, and in 
doing so, they provide information. The information collected is used 
only by authorized representatives of USDA (AMS, Livestock, Poultry, 
and Seed Program's QAD national and field staff, which includes state 
agencies) and is used to conduct services requested by respondents. 
Information collected includes but is not limited to: Total received 
volume in pounds or cases, volume in pounds of graded, processed and 
reprocessed products, case volume of graded product, applicant's name, 
billing and facility address, commitment hours, and requests for 
approval of commodity specifications or chemical compounds. AMS is the 
primary user of the information.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of AMA, to provide the respondents 
the type of service they request, and to administer the program.
    (7) Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.197 hours per response.
    (8) Respondents: Livestock, meat, poultry, shell egg industries, or 
other agricultural enterprises; state or local governments; or other 
business organizations.
    (9) Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,564.
    (10) Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 34.47.
    (11) Estimated Total Annual Responses: 53,915.
    (12) Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,655.63 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
AMS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
the accuracy of AMS' 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.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All responses will become a matter of public 
record,

[[Page 13090]]

including any personal information provided.

    Dated: March 6, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04667 Filed 3-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P