2022-20619. Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products

AGENCY:

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (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, FSIS is announcing its intention to renew the approved information collection regarding the voluntary cooperative interstate shipment program. The approval for this information collection will expire on February 28, 2023. FSIS is making no changes to the information collection.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before November 22, 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-2022-0024. 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: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry.

OMB Number: 0583-0143.

Type of Request: Request to renew 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.), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

FSIS administers a voluntary cooperative inspection program under which State-inspected establishments in participating states with 25 or fewer employees are eligible to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce (21 U.S.C. 683 and U.S.C. 472) (9 CFR 321.3, 9 CFR part 332, 9 CFR 381.187, and 9 CFR part 381 subpart Z). In participating States, State-inspected establishments selected to take part in this program are required to comply with all Federal standards under the FMIA and the PPIA, as well as with all State standards. These establishments receive inspection services from State inspection personnel who have been trained in the enforcement of the FMIA and PPIA.

Meat and poultry products produced under the program that have been inspected and passed by designated State personnel bear an official Federal mark of inspection and are permitted to be distributed in interstate commerce. FSIS provides oversight and enforcement of the program.

States that are interested in participating in the cooperative interstate shipment program need to submit a request for an agreement to establish such a program through the appropriate FSIS District Office (9 CFR 332.4 and 9 CFR 381.514). In its request, a State must agree to comply with certain conditions to qualify for the interstate shipment program. The State must also: (1) Identify establishments in the State that the State recommends for initial selection into the program, if any, and (2) include documentation to demonstrate that the State is able to provide necessary inspection services to selected establishments in the State and conduct any related activities that would be required under a cooperative interstate shipment program. FSIS reviews the State's request to determine whether to approve the State to participate in the cooperative interstate shipment program.

If a State determines that an establishment qualifies to participate in the cooperative interstate shipment program, and the State is able, and willing, to provide the necessary inspection services at the establishment, the State is to submit its evaluation of the establishment to the FSIS District Office that covers the State (76 FR 24713).

FSIS, in coordination with the State, will then decide whether to select the establishments for the program. Establishments that qualify for this program must meet all requirements under the FMIA or PPIA, and implementing regulations, including FSIS requirements for recordkeeping (9 CFR 332.5 and 9 CFR 381.515). Most State-inspected establishments will already have met these recordkeeping requirements, but some establishments will need to make minor adjustments to their recordkeeping to meet FSIS requirements.

The FSIS selected establishment coordinator (SEC) is responsible for overseeing a State's cooperative inspection program. The SEC will visit each selected establishment in the State on a regular basis to verify that the establishment is operating in a manner that is consistent with the FMIA or PPIA and the implementing regulations (9 CFR 332.7 and 9 CFR 381.517).

The approval for this information collection will expire on February 28, 2023. FSIS is making no changes to the information collection. FSIS has made the following estimates based on an information collection assessment:

Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take each new State an average of 40 hours to prepare and submit a request to establish a cooperative interstate shipment program.

FSIS estimates that it will take each State 24 hours to prepare and submit an evaluation for each new establishment entering the program. FSIS estimates that States will submit approximately 3 evaluations per year.

FSIS estimates that 15 establishments per year, out of the current 60 participating establishments, will spend 16 hours to modify their recordkeeping procedures to comply with Federal standards and 5 minutes per establishment to file these records. The State will need to provide these records during the initial verification visit when the FSIS SEC verifies the State nomination to select the establishment into the program. FSIS estimates 15 minutes per establishment to provide the records for the verification assessment.

Respondents: States and establishments.

Estimated No. of Respondents: 7 states and 60 establishments.

Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: FSIS estimates there will be one request per each new State to establish a cooperative interstate shipment program per year. There will be a one-time modification of records for each newly selected establishment whose recordkeeping does not comply with all Federal standards. The total number of estimated annual responses is 777.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 733 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

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information ( e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at [phone] (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at [phone]. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/​oascr/​how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call [phone].

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.