[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2179-2180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-279]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Notice of Request for New Information Collection

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, 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 Grain Inspection, Packers 
and Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) intent to request approval for 
designated official agencies to complete FGIS Form 921-2, Inspection 
Report--Insects in Grain in order to facilitate the transfer of 
information to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for 
phytosanitary certification. Currently, FGIS field offices, delegated 
States, and designated agencies inspect and certify grain for insects. 
FGIS field offices and delegated States provide insect information for 
export grain vessels to APHIS on FGIS-921-2 for APHIS issuance of a 
phytosanitary certificate. This request will enable official agencies 
to provide similar insect information for export grain shipped in 
trucks, railcars, and containers loaded at interior locations to APHIS.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by March 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-Mail: Send comments via electronic mail to 
[email protected].
     Mail: Send hardcopy written comments to Tess Butler, 
GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1647-S, Washington, DC 
20250-3604.

[[Page 2180]]

     Fax: Send comments by facsimile transmission to (202) 690-
2755.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to: Tess 
Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1647-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-3604.
    Instructions: All comments should make reference to the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
    Background Documents: Information collection packag4e and other 
documents relating to this action will be available for public 
inspection in the above office during regular business hours.
    Read Comments: All comments will be available for public inspection 
in the above office during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the collection and 
use of this information, contact Martin Begley at telephone (202) 720-
0277, or via e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) is responsible for inspecting plants and plant products 
offered for export, and certifying their freedom from plant pests in 
accordance with the phytosanitary requirements of foreign countries. To 
help shippers and other interested parties obtain phytosanitary 
inspection services at export port locations, GIPSA and APHIS entered 
into an agreement under which official inspection personnel transmit 
grain inspection information to APHIS. The agreement, procedures, and 
requirements are outlined in FGIS Directive 9180.35, dated May 1, 1997, 
http://151.121.3.117/reference-library/directives/9180-35.pdf.
    To facilitate the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export 
grain loaded into trucks, railcars, and containers at interior 
locations, APHIS and GIPSA expanded the existing agreement to permit 
official agencies, authorized by GIPSA to perform USDA recognized grain 
inspection services, to transmit grain inspection information to APHIS 
for phytosanitary certification purposes. The agreement is outlined in 
FGIS Directive 9180.34, dated May 24, 2005, which is available at: 
http://151.121.3.117/reference-library/directives/9180-34.pdf). Under 
the new agreement, FGIS Form 921-2 would be used by designated official 
agencies to transmit grain inspection information to APHIS for export 
grain loaded at interior shipping points.
    Title: Inspection Report--Insects in Grain.
    OMB Number: 0580--New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et 
seq.) and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
seq.) provide that USDA inspect, certify and identify the class, 
quality, quantity and condition of grain and other agricultural 
products shipped or received in interstate and foreign commerce.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting and record keeping burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per 
response.
    Respondents: Official grain inspection agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 35.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 62.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 180 hours.
    Upon OMB approval, this package will be merged into package 0580-
0013.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the information 
collection 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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 
forms of information technology. 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.

James E. Link,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 06-279 Filed 1-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-U