[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59342-59343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29020]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


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

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

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 Grain Inspection, Packers 
and Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) intention to request an 
extension for and revision to the currently approved information 
collection for ``Regulations Governing the National Inspection and 
Weighing System Under the United States Grain Standards Act and the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 2, 1998.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Sharon Vassiliades, ARTS, 
GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3649, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 
20250-3649, or FAX 202 720-4628, telephone: 202 720-1738, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Grain Standards Acts 
(USGSA) and the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) were enacted to 
facilitate the marketing of grain, oilseeds, pulses, rice, and related 
commodities. These statutes establish standards and terms which 
accurately and consistently measure the quality of grain and related 
products, provide for uniform official inspection and weighing, provide 
regulatory and service responsibilities, and furnish the framework for 
commodity quality improvement incentives to both domestic and foreign 
buyers. The Federal Grain Inspection Service of USDA's Grain 
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration establishes policies, 
guidelines, and regulations to carry out the objectives of the USGSA 
and the AMA.
    The USGSA, with few exceptions, requires official certification of 
export grain sold by grade. Official services are provided, upon 
request, for grain in domestic commerce. The AMA authorizes similar 
inspection and weighing services, upon request, for rice, pulses, 
flour, corn meal, and certain other agricultural products. Conversely, 
the regulations promulgating the USGSA and AMA require specific 
information collection and recordkeeping necessary to carry out 
requests for official services. Applicants for service must specify the 
kind and level of service desired, the identification of the product, 
the location, the amount, and other pertinent information in order that 
official personnel can efficiently respond to their needs.
    Official services under the USGSA are provided through FGIS field 
offices and delegated and/or designated State and private agencies. 
Delegated agencies are State agencies delegated authority under the Act 
to provide official inspection service, Class X or Class Y weighing 
services, or both, at one or more export port locations in the State. 
Designated agencies are State or local governmental agencies or persons 
designated under the Act to provide either official inspection 
services, Class X or Class Y weighing services, or both, at locations 
other than export port locations. State and private agencies, as a 
requirement for delegation and/or designation, must comply with all 
regulations, procedures, and instructions in accordance with provisions 
established under the USGSA. FGIS field offices oversee the performance 
of these agencies and provide technical guidance as needed.
    Official services under the AMA are performed, upon request, on a 
fee basis for domestic and export shipments either by FGIS employees, 
individual contractors, or cooperators. Contractors are persons who 
enter into a contract with FGIS to perform specified inspection 
services. Cooperators are agencies or departments of the Federal 
Government which have an interagency agreement or State agencies which 
have a reimbursable agreement with FGIS.
    Title: Regulations Governing the National Inspection and Weighing 
System Under the USGSA and AMA of 1946.
    OMB Number: 0580-0013.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et 
seq.) and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C 1621 et seq.) 
provide that USDA inspect, certify and identify the class, quality, 
quantity and condition of agricultural products shipped or

[[Page 59343]]

received in interstate and foreign commerce. Also, that USDA may enter 
contracts or agreements with delegated or designated agencies to 
provide official inspection personnel to perform the services.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting and record keeping burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average .16 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Grain producers, buyers, and sellers, elevator 
operators, grain merchandisers and official grain inspection agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 899.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 468,109.55 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cathy 
McDuffie, the Agency Support Services Specialist, at (301) 734-5190.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency'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 on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Sharon 
Vassiliades, ARTS, GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3649, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-3649 or FAX 202 720-4628, telephone: 202 
720-1738. All comments will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the same address.
    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 28, 1997.
James R. Baker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-29020 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P