[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 33240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15771]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 119 / Tuesday, June 22, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33240]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[DA-99-03]


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 
Services'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 on this notice must be received by August 23, 1999 to 
be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Office of the Deputy 
Administrator, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Room 2968-S, P.O. Box 96456, 
Washington, DC 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 
Programs, Dairy Grading Branch, Room 2750-South Building, P.O. Box 
96456, Washington, DC 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: February 28, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 
1621-1627) directs the Department to develop programs which will 
provide for and facilitate the 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 graded under 
the dairy program 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 are regulations for the provider and 
user. For these reasons, the dairy inspection and grading program 
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. These records include quality tests of each producer, plant 
records of required tests and analysis, and starter and cheese make 
records. 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 Deputy Administrator, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Room 2968-
S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 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: June 16, 1999.
Richard M. McKee,
Deputy Administrator, Dairy Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-15771 Filed 6-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P