[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31179]


      
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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 229 / Friday, November 28, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63311]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. PY-98-001]


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 Poultry Products and Rabbit Products.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 27, 1998.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Shields Jones, Standardization Branch, 
Poultry Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0259, Washington, DC 
20050-0259, (202) 720-3506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations Governing the Grading of Poultry Products and 
Rabbit Products--7 CFR Part 70.
    OMB Number: 0581-0127.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The regulations provide a voluntary program for grading 
poultry and rabbit products on the basis of U.S. standards and grades. 
In addition, the poultry and rabbit industries 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 Programs' 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 0.09 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: 749.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 38.67.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,913 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Shields 
Jones, Standardization Branch, at (202) 720-3506.
    Send comments regarding, but not limited to, the following: (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 burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; or (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 other forms 
of information technology, to: Douglas C. Bailey, Chief, 
Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Stop 0259, Washington, DC 20250-0259.
    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: November 20, 1997.
D. Michael Holbrook,
Deputy Administrator, Poultry Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-31179 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P