[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43975-43976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20876]


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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. 155 / Thursday, August 12, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 43975]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number LS-99-11]


Notice of Request for New 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) request for comments on a new information collection 
related to the delivery of Meat Grading and Certification (MGC) Branch 
services. This voluntary survey would give MGC Branch's external 
customers, who are primarily in the livestock and meat industry, an 
opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of service they are 
receiving thereby assisting the MGC Branch to continuously improve its 
services and service delivery.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 
12, 1999 to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Marlene M. Betts, Assistant 
to the Chief, Meat Grading and Certification Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Program, AMS, USDA, STOP 0248, Room 2628-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0248, Telephone (202) 720-1640, or Fax (202) 
690-4119.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1621-
1627) (Act) directs the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products by 
developing and applying grade standards. Under the Act, AMS offers 
grading, quality assurance, and certification services for a user-fee, 
to facilitate the efficient marketing of meat and meat products in the 
global marketplace. The MGC Branch provides voluntary quality grading 
and certification services based on U.S. grade standards and approved 
specifications to producers, slaughterers, wholesalers, retailers, 
consumers, brokers, and other financially interested parties involved 
in the marketing of livestock and meat products.
    There are approximately 380 current users of the AMS's, MGC Branch 
voluntary quality grading and certification services. These customers 
are located nationwide and represent a diverse mixture of small, 
medium, and large producers; slaughterers; wholesalers; retailers; 
brokers; and other financially interested parties. These companies 
request product grading and certification services from an MGC Branch 
Area Office. (There are four MGC Branch Area Offices nationwide.)
    The mission of the MGC Branch is to provide timely, high-quality, 
unbiased service that facilitates the orderly marketing and 
distribution of agricultural commodities, and fosters goodwill in the 
global marketplace. To accomplish this mission, the MGC Branch needs 
feedback from customers to evaluate the services that are provided.
    Title: Customer Service Survey (Meat Grading and Certification 
Services).
    OMB Number: New collection, a number will be assigned after 
approval.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New collection.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The collection of information using a voluntary customer 
service survey will provide all MGC Branch customers an opportunity to 
comment on the type and level of services they expect and evaluate the 
actual services that they receive. This information will assist the MGC 
Branch in continuously improving its services to meet or exceed 
customer expectations.
    The MGC Branch does not have a formal means of determining its 
external customer's expectations or the quality of service that is 
delivered. To collect this information, the MGC Branch proposes to 
annually distribute a voluntary customer service survey. The 
information collected from the survey will be used to evaluate service 
delivery and assist in planning and managing the program.
    The customer service survey consists of one document comprised of 
20 inquiry components where customers assess the quality of service 
that is provided by the MGC Branch. Some examples of survey components 
customers are asked to assess and respond to include the following: 
``MGC Branch employees provide service at the date and time 
requested,'' ``MGC Branch employees provide helpful technical advice,'' 
and ``Graders working in your facility receive adequate supervision.'' 
These survey components will be assessed using a rating scale ranging 
from ``strongly agrees'' to ``strongly disagrees'' or ``not 
applicable.'' There is also space available on the survey for the 
customer to provide additional comments they deem appropriate.
    Due to the voluntary nature of grading and certification services, 
MGC Branch customers will use the services only if they receive the 
quality of service that meets or exceeds their expectations. By 
obtaining information from customers through a voluntary customer 
service survey, the MGC Branch could continue to improve its services 
to meet or exceed customer expectations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .084 hours per response.
    Respondents: Livestock and meat industry or other for-profit 
businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 428.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 36 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other

[[Page 43976]]

technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Marlene M. Betts, Assistant to the 
Chief, Meat Grading and Certification Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Program, AMS, USDA, STOP 0248, Room 2628-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0248. All comments received 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 become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: August 4, 1999.
Robert L. Leverette,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 99-20876 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P