2022-05039. Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Importation and Transportation of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

AGENCY:

Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) FSIS is announcing its intention to revise the approved information collection regarding the importation and transportation of meat, poultry, and egg products. The approval for this information collection will expire on July 31, 2022. FSIS is reducing the total burden estimate by 349 hours due to updated information.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before May 9, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.

• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

• Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2022-0005. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, call [phone] to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Importation and Transportation of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products.

OMB Number: 0583-0094.

Expiration Date: 07/31/2022.

Type of Request: Revision of an approved information collection.

Abstract: 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. ), 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 verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

FSIS is requesting a revision of the information collection regarding the importation and transportation of certain meat, poultry, and egg products. The approval for this information collection will expire on July 31, 2022. FSIS is reducing the total burden estimate by 349 hours due to updated information.

This information collection includes (1) foreign inspection certificates from foreign countries required by FSIS to export meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States (9 CFR 327.2 and 381.196); (2) documentation required by FSIS from official import establishments to pre-stamp imported product with the inspection legend before reinspection is complete (9 CFR 327.10(d) and 381.204(f)); and (3) documentation required from official establishments to transport meat and poultry shipments under seal (FSIS Form 7350-1, Request and Notice of Shipment of Sealed Meat and Poultry) (9 CFR 325.5).

(1) Foreign countries that wish to export meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States must establish eligibility to do so by putting in place inspection systems that are “equivalent to” the U.S. inspection system (9 CFR 327.2 and 381.196) and by annually certifying that they continue to do so. Meat, poultry, and egg products intended for importation into the U.S. must be accompanied by an inspection certificate signed by an official of the foreign government responsible for the inspection and certification of the product (9 CFR 327.4, 381.197, and 590.915).

(2) Import establishments that wish to pre-stamp imported product with the inspection legend before FSIS inspection is complete must submit a letter to FSIS that explains and requests approval for the establishment's pre-stamping procedure (9 CFR 327.10(d) and 381.204(f)).

(3) Unless accounted for in an establishment's HACCP plan, meat and poultry products that do not bear the mark of inspection and that are to be shipped from one official establishment to another for further processing must be transported under USDA seal to prevent such unmarked product from entering into commerce (9 CFR 325.5). To track product shipped under seal, FSIS requires the shipping establishment to complete FSIS Form 7350-1, which identifies the type, amount, and weight of the product.

FSIS has made the following estimates based on an information collection assessment.

Respondents: Importers, establishments, foreign governments.

Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it takes each respondent an average of 54.07 hours per year to complete the foreign inspection certificates, pre- stamp documentation, and documentation required to transport meat and poultry shipments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 68.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,677 hours.

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. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' 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 method 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/​federal-register.

FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/​subscribe. Options range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

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Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: [phone]; or (3) email: [e-mail].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Paul Kiecker,

Administrator.