[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 52772] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25705] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE [DA-96-14] Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 for the Dairy Inspection and Grading Program. DATES: Comments must be received by December 9, 1996 to be assured consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Office of the Director, USDA/ AMS/Dairy Division, Room 2968-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. Comments received will be available for public inspection at this location during regular business hours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Tracy Schonrock, USDA/AMS/Dairy Division, Dairy Grading Branch, Room 2750-South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; Tel: (202) 720-3171, Fax (202) 720- 2643. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products--Record Keeping. OMB Number: 0581-0110. Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 directs the Department to develop programs which will provide and enable a more orderly marketing of agricultural products. One of these programs is the USDA voluntary inspection and grading program for dairy products where these dairy products are graded according to U.S. grade standards by a USDA grader. The dairy products so graded may be identified with the USDA grade mark. Dairy processors, buyers, retailers, institutional users, and consumers have requested that such a program be developed to assure the uniform quality of dairy products purchased. In order for any service program to perform satisfactorily, there must be written guides and rules, which in this case are regulations for the provider and user. For the above reasons, these regulations were developed and issued under the authority of the Act. These regulations are essential to administer the program to meet the needs of the user and to carry out the purposes of the Act. The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the AMA, to insure that dairy products are produced under sanitary conditions and that buyers are purchasing a quality product. In order for the Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products to serve the government, industry, and the consumer, laboratory test results must be recorded. Respondents are not required to submit information to the agency. The records are to be evaluated by a USDA inspector at the time of an inspection. As an off-setting benefit, the records required by USDA are also records which are routinely used by the inspected facility for their own supervisory and quality control purposes. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this Record keeping is estimated to average 3.002 hours per year per individual record keeper. Record Keepers: Dairy products manufacturing facilities. Estimated Number of Record Keepers: 508. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Record Keepers: 1525 hours. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the accuracy of the collection burden estimate and the validity of the methodology and assumptions used in estimating the burden on record keepers; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information requested; and (4) ways to minimize the burden, including use of automated or electronic technologies. Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0110 and the Dairy Inspection and Grading Program, and be sent to USDA in care of the Office of the Director, USDA/AMS/Dairy Division, Room 2968-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. Comments received will be available for public inspection at this location during regular business hours. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: September 26, 1996. Richard M. McKee, Director, Dairy Division. [FR Doc. 96-25705 Filed 10-07-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P