[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 26334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8875]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 4, 2007.
    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.

Agricultural Marketing Service--Farm Service Agency

    Title: National Organic Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0191.
    Summary of Collection: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 
1990, Title XXI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 
1990 (Farm Bill), U.S.C. Title 7 Section 6503(a) mandates that the 
Secretary of Agriculture develop a national organic program. The 
purposes of the regulation mandated by OFPA are: (1) To establish 
national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural 
products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that 
organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) to 
facilitate interstate commerce in fresh and processed food that is 
organically produced. The National Organic Program (NOP) regulation 
fulfills the requirements of the OFPA. It includes comprehensive 
production and handling standards, labeling provisions, requirements 
for the certification of producers and handlers, accreditation of 
certifying agents by USDA and an administrative subpart for fees, State 
Programs, National List, appeals, compliance and pesticide residue 
testing. Agricultural Marketing Service will approve programs for State 
governments wishing to establish State Organic Programs.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
to evaluate compliance with OFPA and NOP for administering the program, 
for management decisions and planning, for establishing the cost of the 
program and to support administrative and regulatory actions in 
response to non-compliance with OFPA. Certifying agents will have to 
submit an application to USDA to become accredited to certify organic 
production and handling operations. Auditors will review the 
application, perform site evaluation and submit reports to USDA, who 
will make a decision to grant or deny accreditation. Producers, 
handlers and certifying agents whose operations are not approved have 
the right to mediation and appeal the decision. Reporting and 
recordkeeping are essential to the integrity of the organic 
certification system.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 16,095.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 635,520.

Charlene Parker
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-8875 Filed 5-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P