2014-29453. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 10, 2014.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (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; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Application of Laboratories, Transactions, and Exemptions.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0082.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (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.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et. seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et. seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS requires FSIS accredited non-Federal analytical laboratories to maintain certain paperwork and records. FSIS will collect information using several FSIS forms.

Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to ensure that all meat and poultry establishments produce safe, wholesome, and unadulterated product, and that non-federal laboratories accord with FSIS regulations. In addition, FSIS also collects information to ensure that meat and poultry establishments exempted from FSIS's inspection do not commingle inspected and non-inspected meat and poultry products, and to ensure that retail firms qualifying for a retail store exemption and who have violated the provision of the exemption are no longer in violation.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 19,997.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 113,848.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Public Health Inspection System.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0153.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (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.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et. seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031). These statues mandate that FSIS protect the public by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

Need and Use of the Information: FSIS developed a Web-based system that will improve FSIS inspection operations and facilitate industry members' application for inspection, export, and import of meat, poultry, and egg products. Industry members use FSIS forms in the Public Health Information System (PHIS). Industry is able to submit some of these forms. Paper forms will also be available to firms that do not wish to use PHIS. To submit information through PHIS, firms' employees will need to register for a USDA eAuthentication account with Level 2 access.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 2,447.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 142,981.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Salmonella Initiative Program.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0154.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (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.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. The Salmonella initiative Program (SIP) offers incentives to meat and poultry slaughter establishments to control Salmonella in their operations. SIP benefits public health because it encourages establishments to test for microbial pathogens, which is a key feature of effective process control.

Need and Use of the Information: Under SIP, establishments will share their data with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS); this will help the Agency in formulating its policy. Establishments that want to enter SIP must send a protocol to FSIS informing the Agency about their plans for implementing SIP in their establishment, including data collection, objectives and methods of evaluating the new technology for which they are receiving the regulator waiver.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 94.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 53,776.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.