[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 37321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12776]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 29, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 37321]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 23, 2005.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (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; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration

    Title: Livestock and Meat Marketing Study (Part 1--Survey Data 
Collection).
    OMB Control Number: 0580-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 
1921, as amended and supplemented (7 U.S.C. 71-87) (USGSA), and the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 181-229) (P&S 
Act). The P&S Act prohibits unfair, deceptive and fraudulent practices 
by market agencies, dealers, stockyards, packers, swine contractors, 
and live poultry dealers in the livestock, meatpacking, and poultry 
industries. During the development of the 2002 Farm Bill, the Senate 
considered an amendment to the P&S Act that would make it unlawful for 
a packer to own, control, or feed livestock intended for slaughter. In 
fiscal year 2003, GIPSA received $4.5 million in appropriations for a 
packer concentration study (Public Law 108-7, 117 Stat. 22). Congress 
stated that the study should address issues related to packer ownership 
of livestock. The survey will be conducted for cattle, hog, and lamb 
and their meat products among producers, feeders, dealers, meat 
packers, meat processors, food wholesalers, food retailers, food 
service operations, and meat exporters.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purpose of the survey is to 
collect information on the use and terms of alternative marketing 
arrangements, volume of livestock and meat products transferred through 
spot and alternative marketing arrangements, and respondents' 
perceptions regarding the costs and benefits associated with using 
alternative marketing arrangements.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; farms.
    Number of Respondents: 3,460.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,589.

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration

    Title: Livestock and Meat Marketing Study (Part 2--Transactions 
Data Collection).
    OMB Control Number: 0580-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 
1921, as amended and supplemented (7 U.S.C. 71-87) (USGSA), and the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 181-229) (P&S 
Act). The P&S Act prohibits unfair, deceptive and fraudulent practices 
by market agencies, dealers, stockyards, packers, swine contractors, 
and live poultry dealers in the livestock, meatpacking, and poultry 
industries. During the development of the 2002 Farm Bill, the Senate 
considered an amendment to the P&S Act that would make it unlawful for 
a packer to own, control, or feed livestock intended for slaughter. In 
fiscal year 2003, GIPSA received $4.5 million in appropriations for a 
packer concentration study (Public Law 108-7, 117 Stat. 22). Congress 
stated that the study should address issues related to packer ownership 
of livestock. To conduct the Livestock and Meat Marketing Study, data 
needs to be collected on procurement and sales transactions from the 
largest meat packers, meat processors, food wholesalers, food 
retailers, food service operators and meat exporters.
    Need and Use of the Information: The study will examine the use and 
economic effects of various methods for transferring cattle, hogs, 
lambs, and meat between successive stages of the livestock and meat 
marketing system. It will examine marketing arrangements from the first 
producer (that is, cow-calf producers, lamb producers, and hog 
farrowing operations) to the procurement of meat and meat products by 
wholesalers, retailer, food service operators, and exporters.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; farms.
    Number of Respondents: 268.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 29,120.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-12776 Filed 6-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P