[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 55933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24537]


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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. 68, No. 188 / Monday, September 29, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55933]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. PY-03-003]


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. 3501-20), this notice announces the intention of the 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to request an extension for and 
revision to a currently approved information collection in support of 
the Regulations for Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 
Products.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 28, 2003.

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 for Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and 
Rabbit Products--7 CFR Part 70.
    OMB Number: 0581-0127.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: 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 (7 
U.S.C. 1622(h)) directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
inspect, certify, 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.
    The regulations in 7 CFR part 70 provide a voluntary program for 
grading poultry and rabbit products on the basis of U.S. standards and 
grades. AMS also provides other types of voluntary services under the 
regulations, e.g., contract and specification acceptance services and 
certifications of quantity. All of the voluntary grading services are 
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).
    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 the cost of service be 
assessed and collected, information is collected to establish the 
Agency's 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. Information is also used by 
each authorized State agency which has a cooperative agreement with 
AMS.
    AMS is committed to implementation of the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act, which provides for the use of information resources to 
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental operations, 
including providing the public with the option of submitting 
information or transacting business electronically to the extent 
possible.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: State or local governments, businesses or other for-
profits, Federal agencies or employees, small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 366.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 22,464.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 61.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,753 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: David Bowden, Jr., 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: September 23, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24537 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P