[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61724-61725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30319]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-066N]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved
information collection package regarding exportation, transportation,
and importation of meat and poultry products.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January
20, 1998.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork
Specialist, (202) 720-0346.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and
Poultry Products.
OMB Number: 0583-0094.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1997.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the
functions of the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS
[[Page 61725]]
protect the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe,
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the information
collection package addressing meat and poultry paperwork and
recordkeeping requirements regarding exportation, transportation, and
importation of meat and poultry products. FSIS requires that meat and
poultry establishments exporting product to foreign countries complete
an export certificate. Establishments must supply the type, amount, and
destination of product being exported. The information required by on
this form does not duplicate any information required by other Federal
agencies. The form is necessary to certify to the importing countries
that FSIS inspectors have inspected the product and have found it sound
and wholesome. Additionally, FSIS uses the information from the form in
its annual Report to Congress as required by sections 301(c)(4) and
20(e) of the FMIA and sections 27 and 5(c)(4) of the PPIA.
Meat and poultry products not marked with the mark of inspection
and shipped from one official establishment to another for further
processing must be transported under FSIS seal to prevent such unmarked
product from entering into commerce. To track product shipped under
seal, FSIS requires shipping establishments to complete a form that
identifies the type, amount, and weight of the product.
A foreign country exporting meat or poultry products to the U.S.
must establish eligibility for importation of product into the U.S. and
annually certify that its inspection systems are ``at least equal to''
the U.S. inspection system. To maintain eligibility, a written report
must be prepared monthly by a representative of the foreign inspection
system for each establishment listed in the certification.
Additionally, meat and poultry products intended for import into the
U.S. must be accompanied by a health certificate, signed by an official
of the foreign government, stating that the products have been produced
by certified foreign establishments. Establishments or brokers wishing
to import product into the United States must complete a form that
specifies the type, amount, originating country and destination of the
meat and poultry product. The amount of meat and poultry product
imported into the United States is included in FSIS's annual Report to
Congress. Additionally, FSIS has established procedures allowing
establishments importing product to stamp such product with the
inspection legend prior to FSIS inspection, if they receive FSIS prior
approval.
Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .0773501 hours per response.
Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,374.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 295.88866.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 168,769 hours.
Copies of this information collection assessment and comments can
be obtained from Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street SW, Room 109, Washington, DC
20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.
Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's
functions, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS' 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 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 comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Dated: November 10, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-30319 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
