2010-18094. Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Specified Risk Materials)

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, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request revision of an approved information collection regarding specified risk materials (SRMs) in cattle because the OMB approval will expire on January 31, 2011, and to incorporate another approved information collection, Specified Risk Materials—Transport.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 21, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.
• Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2-2175, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2010-0017. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to http://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For Additional Information: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 20250, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Specified Risk Materials.

OMB Number: 0583-0129.

Expiration Date of Approval: 1/31/2011 (SRM—Transport information collection approval expires on 12/31/2010.)

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.). This statute provides that FSIS is to protect the public by verifying that meat products are safe, wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

FSIS is requesting revision of an approved information collection addressing paperwork requirements regarding the regulations relating to SRMs in cattle because the OMB approval will expire on January 31, 2011, and to combine it with another related approved information collection, Specified Risk Materials—Transport.

FSIS requires that official establishments that slaughter cattle or process carcasses or parts of cattle develop written procedures for the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs. The Agency requires that these establishments maintain daily records to document the implementation and monitoring of their procedures for the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs and any corrective actions that they take to ensure that the procedures are effective (9 CFR 310.22).

FSIS also requires official slaughter establishments that transport carcasses or parts of cattle that contain vertebral columns from cattle 30 months of age and older to another federally inspected establishment for further processing to maintain records that verify that the official establishment that received the carcasses or parts, removed and properly disposed of the portions of the vertebral column designated as SRMs (9 CFR 310.22(g)).

This monitoring and recordkeeping is necessary for establishments to further ensure—and for FSIS to verify—that meat and meat products distributed in commerce for use as human food do not contain SRMs.

FSIS has made the following estimates for the revised information collection that combines the two approved information collections based upon an information collection assessment:

Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an average of approximately .12 hours per response.

Respondents: Official establishments that slaughter cattle or process parts of cattle.

Estimated No. of Respondents: 3,512.

Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 303.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 123,916 hours.

Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 20250, [phone].

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's 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent both to FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.

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.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/​regulations/​2010_​Notices_​Index/​index.asp.

FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication available 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 Update is communicated via Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific professionals, and other individuals who have requested to be included. The Update also is available on the FSIS Web page. Through Listserv and the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience.

In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/​news_​and_​events/​email_​subscription/​. Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts.

Done at Washington, DC, on July 16, 2010.

Alfred V. Almanza,

Administrator.