[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64680-64681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18580]



[[Page 64680]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2006-0036]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection (Registration Requirements)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request an extension of a currently approved information collection 
regarding registration requirements.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 2, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROM's, and hand- or 
courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, SW., 
Room 102 Cotton Annex, Washington, DC 20250.
     Electronic mail: [email protected].
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulation.gov and in the ``Search for Open Regulations'' box, 
select ``Food Safety and Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-down 
menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select FDMS 
Docket Number FSIS-calendar year-docket number to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically.
    All submissions received by mail or electronic mail must include 
the Agency name and docket number. All comments submitted in response 
to this document, as well as research and background information used 
by FSIS in developing this document, will be available for public 
inspection in the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Comments will also be posted on the Agency's Web site at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/regulations_directives_&_notices/index.asp.
    For Additional Information: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-
0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Registration Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0583-0128.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 02/28/2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.). These statutes provide that FSIS 
is to protect the public by verifying that meat and poultry products 
are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting extension of an approved information collection 
addressing paperwork and recordkeeping requirements regarding 
registration requirements. Provisions of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 643) and 
the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 460(c)) prohibit any person, firm, or corporation 
from engaging in commerce as a meat or poultry products broker, 
renderer, animal food manufacturer, wholesaler, or public warehouseman, 
or from buying, selling, or transporting, or importing any dead, dying, 
or disabled or diseased livestock or poultry or parts of the carcasses 
of livestock or poultry that died otherwise than by slaughter, unless 
it has registered its business as required by the regulations.
    According to the regulations (9 CFR 320.5 and 381.179), parties 
required to register with FSIS must do so by submitting a form (FSIS 
Form 5020-1, Registration of Meat and Poultry Handlers) and must 
provide current and correct information to FSIS, including their name, 
the address of all locations at which they conduct the business that 
requires them to register, and all trade or business names under which 
they conduct these businesses. In addition, parties required to 
register with FSIS must do so within 90 days after they begin to engage 
in any of the businesses that require registration. They must also 
inform FSIS when information on the form needs to be updated.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment:
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an 
average of 10 minutes to complete and submit this form to FSIS.
    Respondents: Brokers, renderers, animal food manufacturers, 
wholesalers, public warehousemen, meat and poultry handlers.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5627, (202) 720-0345.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of FSIS' 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 other forms of 
information technology. Comments may be sent to both John O'Connell, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and 
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
    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.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the 
public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line 
through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2006_Notices_Index/index.asp.
    FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other types of 
information that could affect or would be of interest to our 
constituents

[[Page 64681]]

and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, a free e-
mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and farm 
groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, 
scientific professionals, and other individuals who have requested to 
be included. The update also is available on the FSIS Web page. Through 
Listserv and the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a 
much broader, more diverse audience.
    In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which 
provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news 
and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_and_events/email_subscription/. 
Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, 
directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions 
themselves and have the option to password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC, on October 31, 2006.
Barbara J. Masters,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-18580 Filed 11-2-06; 8:45 am]
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