[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 75043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27428]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 240 / Wednesday, December 15, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 75043]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. PY-05-002]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), 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 Governing the Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 14, 2005.

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--7 
CFR Part 56.
    OMB Number: 0581-0128.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2005.
    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 of Agriculture (USDA) 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 USDA to inspect; certify and identify; and identify the 
grade, class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural products 
under such rules and regulations as prescribed, including assessment 
and collection of fees for the cost of the service.
    The regulations in 7 CFR part 56 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.
    Since 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 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.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.232 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: 623.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 36.87.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,319.96 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Shields 
Jones, Standardization Branch, on (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 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 the Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 10, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27428 Filed 12-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P