[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34628-34629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16370]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. PY-99-006]


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

[[Page 34629]]

Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the shell egg 
surveillance portion of the Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs--7 
CFR 57.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 27, 1999.

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 
20250-0259, (202) 720-3506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Egg Products 
Inspection Act).
    OMB Number: 0581-0113.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Congress enacted the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 1031-1056) (EPIA) to provide, in part, a mandatory inspection 
program to control the disposition of dirty and checked shell eggs; to 
control unwholesome, adulterated, and inedible shell eggs that are 
unfit for human consumption; and to control the movement and 
disposition of imported shell eggs.
    The Act authorizes the Department to issue regulations, which 
provide requirements and guidelines, for both the USDA and industry to 
use as the basis for common understanding to assure that only eggs fit 
for human food are used for such purpose.
    Under the shell egg surveillance program shell egg handlers are 
required to register with USDA. Quarterly, a State or Federal 
surveillance inspector visits each registered handler to verify that 
shell eggs packed for consumer use are in compliance, that restricted 
eggs are being disposed of properly, and that adequate records are 
being maintained.
    The information collection and record keeping requirements in this 
request are essential to carry out the intent of Congress, to 
administer the mandatory inspection program, and to take regulatory 
action, in accordance with the regulations and the Act. The forms 
covered under this collection require the minimum information necessary 
to effectively carry out the requirements of the regulations, and their 
use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Act.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives: 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 assure compliance with the Act and the 
regulations and to take regulatory action. The Agency is the primary 
user of the information, with 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 0.30 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: 1134.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.96.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,922 hours.
    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 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 technical collection techniques or 
other forms of information. Comments may be sent to:
    Douglas C. Bailey, Chief, Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, 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: June 7, 1999.
D. Michael Holbrook,
Deputy Administrator, Poultry Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-16370 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P