[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 117 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35251-35252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9544]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. DA-06-03]


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 that the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) is requesting approval from the Office of 
Management of Budget of a new information collection Application for 
Export Certification.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked, courier dated, or sent via the 
Internet on or before August 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments can be sent to Carrie L. Kayser, 
National Program Coordinator, Dairy Grading Branch, Dairy Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., 2746-S; Washington, DC 20250-0230. E-mail 
address: [email protected] or fax (202) 720-2643. Comments may 
also be electronically submitted at the Federal eRulemaking portal: 
http://www.regulations.govL or by submitting comments to 
[email protected].
    All comments should reference docket number DA-06-03 and note the 
date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be 
available for public inspection at the above address between 8 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., est, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Carrie L. Kayser, Dairy 
Grading Branch, Dairy Programs, AMS, USDA (202) 720-3171, e-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized 
by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 
1621 et seq.), to provide voluntary Federal dairy grading and 
inspection services to facilitate the orderly marketing of dairy 
products and to enable consumers to obtain the quality of dairy 
products they desire. One means of facilitating international marketing 
of domestically produced dairy products is through the issuance of 
export certificates.
    Many importing countries require shipment specific certificates 
attesting to the acceptability of products and/or the manufacturing 
operations that produce these products. Some countries accept generic 
export certificates issued by the Dairy Grading Branch. Other countries 
have accepted certificates issued by the Dairy Grading Branch that 
include country specific information. The Dairy Grading Branch 
coordinates the content of these certificates with other Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) and Federal agencies when the statements made in 
these certificates are based on responsibilities of those agencies.
    The manufacturing operations that produce products eligible for 
export certification include those operations participating in the USDA 
approved plant program administered by the Dairy Grading Branch (7 CFR 
part 58) and operations identified by the Food and Drug Administration. 
The AMA provides for the collection of reasonable fees from users of 
the services provided by the Dairy Grading Branch. Manufacturers and 
exporters requesting certificates are charged fees commensurate with 
costs associated with this service.
    In order to prepare an export certificate, it is necessary that the 
manufacturer or exporter provide shipment specific information. This is 
accomplished by completing a worksheet developed by the Dairy Grading 
Branch then mailing or faxing this completed worksheet to the 
Washington, DC office. In some instances a Certificate of Conformance

[[Page 35252]]

prepared by the manufacturer or exporter must also be completed and 
provided to the office before an export certificate can be prepared.
    The information collection requirements in this request are needed 
in order for the Dairy Grading Branch to issue export certificates. The 
Export Certification Program supports the USDA, AMS mission of 
facilitating the marketing of U.S. agricultural products.
    Title: Applications for Export Certification.
    OMB Number: 0581-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of OMB approval.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.30 hours per response.
    Respondents: Food product manufacturing facilities, export brokers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 125 respondents (100 
manufacturers, 25 export brokers).
    Estimated Number of Responses: 4,250 responses per year.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 34.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,275 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 technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    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.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: June 12, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-9544 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P