[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 37718] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-18401] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 140 / Friday, July 19, 1996 / Notices [[Page 37718]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. 96-028N] Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection regarding applications for inspection, accreditation for laboratories, and exemptions for retail store, custom, and religious slaughter operations. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 17, 1996. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 3812, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5276. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Application for Inspection, Laboratory Accreditation, and Retail Store, Custom, and Religious Slaughter Exemptions. OMB Number: 0583-0082. Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1996. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary as provided 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 protects the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS requires meat and poultry establishments and FSIS accredited non-Federal analytical laboratories to maintain certain paperwork and records. FSIS uses this collected information to ensure that all meat and poultry establishments produce safe, wholesome, and unadulterated product, and that non-federal laboratories accord with FSIS regulations. In addition, FSIS also collects information to ensure that meat and poultry establishments exempted from the provisions of the FMIA and PPIA do not commingle inspected and non-inspected meat and poultry products, and to ensure that establishments qualifying for a retail store exemption and who have violated the provision of that exemption are no longer in violation. Therefore, FSIS is requesting OMB extension and revision of the Information Collection Request covering the following paperwork and recordkeeping activities: (1) The completion and submission to FSIS of an application for Federal inspection by all establishments slaughtering and processing meat and poultry products (9 CFR 304.1 and 381.17); (2) the completion and submission of forms establishing accreditation and maintenance of laboratory results by FSIS accredited non-Federal analytical laboratory used in lieu of an FSIS laboratory for analyzing official regulatory samples (9 CFR 318.21 and 381.153); (3) the maintenance of records by establishments engaging in custom or religious slaughter, as defined in the FMIA and PPIA (9 CFR Part 303 and Part 381, Subpart C); and (4) the maintenance of records by establishments that have been found to be in violation of the terms of a retail store exemption (9 CFR Part 303 and Part 381, Subpart C). Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .61 hours (37 minutes) per response. Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments and private laboratories. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,336. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,885 hours. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., Room 3812, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5276. 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 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 on those who are to respond, including through use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, at the address provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253. 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: July 15, 1996. Michael Taylor, Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety. [FR Doc. 96-18401 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P