[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26762]


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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. 63, No. 193 / Tuesday, October 6, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 53638]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. PY-98-007]


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, 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 
Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs--7 CFR part 56.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 7, 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 Voluntary Grading of Shell eggs.
    OMB Number: 0581-0128.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1999.
    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 on an as-needed 
basis. A fee for service is paid by the user.
    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. This information collection includes requesting, applying for, 
or terminating service; applying for a license to grade poultry 
products; maintaining the volume of poultry products received, 
processed, or graded; and requesting the approval of certification of 
specialized contract services.
    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 0.234 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: 643.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 37.14.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,602 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: October 1, 1998.
D. Michael Holbrook,
Deputy Administrator, Poultry Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-26762 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P