[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 55239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26789]



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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 209 / Monday, October 30, 1995 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55239]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. PY-95-006]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection in support of the Regulations 
Governing the Grading of Shell Eggs and U.S. Standards, Grades, and 
Weight Classes for Shell Eggs--7 CFR Part 56.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 29, 1995.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Shields Jones, Standardization Branch, 
Poultry Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20050, 
(202) 720-3506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations Governing the Grading of Shell Eggs and U.S. 
Standards, Grades, and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs.
    OMB Number: 0581-0128.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The regulations provide a voluntary program for grading 
shell eggs on the basis of U.S. standards, grades, and weight classes. 
In addition, the shell egg industry and users of the products have 
requested that other types of voluntary services be developed and 
provided under these regulations; e.g., contract and specification 
acceptance services and certification of quantity. This voluntary 
grading service is available on a resident basis or a lot-fee basis. 
Respondents may request resident service on a continuous basis or on an 
as-needed basis. The service is paid for by the user (user-fee).
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 1087-1091, as 
amended; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) (AMA) directs and authorizes the 
Department to develop standards of quality, grades, grading programs, 
and services which facilitate trading of agricultural products and 
assure consumers of quality products which are graded and identified 
under USDA programs.
    To provide programs and services, section 203 (h) of the AMA 
directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to inspect, certify 
and identify, and identify the grade, class, quality, quantity, and 
condition of agricultural products under such rules and regulations as 
the Secretary may prescribe, including assessment and collection of 
fees for the cost of the service.
    Because this is a voluntary program, respondents need to request or 
apply for the specific service they wish, and in doing so, they provide 
information. Since the AMA requires that cost of service be assessed 
and collected, there is no alternative but to provide programs on a 
fee-for-service basis and to collect the information needed to 
establish the cost.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
program.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA (AMS, Poultry Division's national staff; 
regional directors and their staffs; Federal-State supervisors and 
their staffs; and resident Federal-State graders, which includes State 
agencies). The information is used to administer and to conduct and 
carry out the grading services requested by the respondents. The Agency 
is the primary user of the information, and the secondary user is each 
authorized State agency which has a cooperative agreement with AMS.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.246 hours per response.
    Respondents: State or local governments, businesses or other for-
profit, Federal agencies or employees, small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 753.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 34.02.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25,617 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Shields 
Jones, Standardization Branch, at (202) 720-3506.
    Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways 
to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any 
other aspect of this collection of information, to:
    Janice L. Lockard, Chief, Standardization Branch, Poultry Division, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14th & 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    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.

    Dated: October 23, 1995.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-26789 Filed 10-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P