2019-26322. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 3, 2019.

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 are requested regarding 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by January 6, 2020 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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: Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0171.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.). This statute mandates that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to ensure that all establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS) monitor their systems through microbial testing and recordkeeping. Establishments operating under NSIS are required to (1) identify animals or carcasses that establishment personnel have sorted and removed for disposal before FSIS inspection with a unique tag, tattoo, or similar device, (2) maintain records to document the total number of animals and carcasses sorted and removed per day and the reasons for their removal, and (3) maintain records documenting that products resulting from their slaughter operations meet the new definition of RTC pork product.

Furthermore, FSIS will collection information to ensure that each establishment operating under the NSIS submit on an annual basis an attestation to the management member of the local FSIS circuit safety committee stating that it maintains a program to monitor and document any work-related conditions of establishment workers.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 84.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 4,348.

Kimble Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.