[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 115 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33192-33193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11563]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2007-0015]


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection (Specified Risk Materials)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a 
revision of an approved information collection concerning the 
regulatory requirements relating to specified risk materials in cattle 
to reflect the most recent plant data, which support a finding of more 
total burden hours.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before August 14, 
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-2007-0015 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. Individuals who do not wish FSIS to 
post their personal contact information--mailing address, e-mail 
address, and telephone number--on the Internet may leave the 
information off their comments.
    For Additional Information: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
300 12th

[[Page 33193]]

Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Specified Risk Materials.
    OMB Number: 0583-0129.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 10/31/2007.
    Type of Request: Revision of an 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.). FSIS protects the public by 
verifying that meat products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and 
properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting revision of an approved information collection 
addressing paperwork requirements specified in the regulations relating 
to specified risk materials (SRMs) in cattle.
    FSIS requires that official establishments that slaughter cattle or 
process carcasses or parts of cattle develop written procedures for the 
removal, segregation, and disposition of specified risk materials. The 
Agency also requires that these establishments maintain daily records 
to document the implementation and monitoring of their procedures for 
the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs, and any corrective 
actions that they take, to ensure that the procedures are effective (9 
CFR 310.22).
    The Agency is revising the SRM information collection based on the 
most recent plant data, which support a finding of more total burden 
hours than there are in the approved information collection.
    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 .12 hours per response.
    Respondents: Official establishments that slaughter cattle or 
process parts of cattle.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 3,512.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 123,216 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 establishments, including through the use 
of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may also be sent to 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/2007_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 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: June 11, 2007.
David P. Goldman,
Acting Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-11563 Filed 6-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P