01-99. Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-20), this notice announces the intention of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection in support of the Regulations for Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit Products.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 5, 2001.

Additional Information:

Contact Shields Jones, Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0259, Washington, DC 20050-0259, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Regulations for Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit Products—7 CFR Part 70

OMB Number: 0581-0127

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2001

Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 1087-1091, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) (AMA) directs and authorizes the Department to develop standards of quality, grades, grading programs, and services which facilitate trading of agricultural products and assure consumers of quality products which are graded and identified under USDA programs.

To provide programs and services, section 203(h) of the AMA directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to inspect, certify, and identify the grade, 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 the service.

The regulations in 7 CFR part 70 provide a voluntary program for grading poultry and rabbit products on the basis of U.S. standards and grades. AMS also provides other types of voluntary services under the regulations, e.g., contract and specification acceptance services and certifications of quantity. All of their voluntary grading services are available on a resident basis or a lot-fee basis. Respondents may request resident service on a continuous basis or on an as-needed basis. The service is paid for by the user (user-fee).

Because this is a voluntary program, respondents need to request or apply for the specific service they wish, and in doing so, they provide information. Since the AMA requires that the cost of service be assessed and collected, information is collected to establish the Agency's cost.

The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the AMA, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the program.

The information collected is used only by authorized representatives of the USDA (AMS, Poultry Programs' national staff; regional directors and their staffs; Federal-State supervisors and their staffs; and resident Federal-State graders, which includes State agencies). The information is used to administer and to conduct and carry out the grading services requested by the respondents. The Agency is the primary user of the information. Information is also used by each authorized State agency which has a cooperative agreement with AMS.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.0775 hours per response.

Respondents: State or local governments, businesses or other for-profits, Federal agencies or employees, small businesses or organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 374.

Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 61.44.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,781 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Shields Jones, Standardization Branch, at [phone].

Send comments regarding, but not limited to, the following: (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, to: David Bowden, Jr., Chief, Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 0259, Washington, DC 20250-0259.

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.

Dated: December 27, 2000.

Howard M. Magwire,

Acting Deputy Administrator, Poultry Programs.