[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70564-70565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24057]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No.: AMS-ST-07-0144; ST-07-02]


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 and Budget of a new information collection ``Laboratory 
Approval Programs'' in support of U.S. agricultural commodities.

DATES: Comments received by February 11, 2008 will be considered.
    Additional Information or Comments: Interested persons are invited 
to submit comments on this proposal to Jane Ho, Technical Services 
Branch, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0272 
Washington, DC 20250-0272; Phone 202-690-0621, Fax 202-720-4631. 
Comments should be submitted in triplicate. Comments may also be 
submitted electronically through http://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments should reference the docket number and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. All comments received will be made 
available for public inspection at the above address during regular 
business hours and may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Laboratory Approval Programs.
    OMB Number: 0581-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of OMB approval.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), AMS provides analytical testing services that 
facilitate marketing and allow products to obtain grade designations or 
meet marketing or quality standards. Pursuant to this authority, AMS 
develops and maintains laboratory certification and approval

[[Page 70565]]

programs as needed by the agricultural industry, to support domestic 
and international marketing of U.S. products. These programs have been 
small in the past and not subject to the information collection 
approval provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Changes in the 
import requirements of foreign countries and proposed regulatory 
changes make it likely that requests for laboratory certification will 
increase so that products may be tested at the processing site. The 
laboratory certification and approval programs will remain voluntary 
and fee for service.
    To ensure that a laboratory is capable of accurately performing the 
specified analyses, it must adhere to certain good laboratory practices 
and show technical proficiency in the required areas. Checklist and 
form have been developed that ask the laboratory for information 
concerning procedures, the physical facility, employees, and their 
training. The laboratory must also provide Standard Operating 
Procedures (SOPs) for the analyses and quality assurance. Most of the 
laboratory programs will include an on-site laboratory review. AMS will 
not approve a laboratory unless there is assurance that the laboratory 
is capable of performing accurate analyses.
    Interested parties can obtain a copy of the form (ST-212) by 
calling or writing to the point of contact listed above. The 
information collection requirements in this request are essential to 
examine laboratories for entrance into the following programs:
    (1) Analyst and Laboratory Certification Program for the Detection 
of Trichinae in Pork (An export program requested by Food Safety and 
Inspection Service).
    (2) Laboratory Verification Program for Poultry Exported from the 
United States to Russia (An export program requested by Food Safety and 
Inspection Service).
    This program contains the possibility of performing 12 different 
analyses in support of the exportation of poultry to Russia. 
Laboratories choose how many and which analyses for which they wish to 
be approved. Each of microbiological/chemical analyses has its own 
methodology and the time necessary to perform the analyses.
    (3) Aflatoxin in Pistachios Program (A High Performance Liquid 
Chromatography method for exporting pistachios to European Union 
requested by the California Pistachio Committee) and the domestic 
program using a test kit analysis method (identified in the Pistachio 
Marketing Order); Aflatoxin in Peanuts Program (7 CFR part 996); and 
Aflatoxin in Almonds Program (requested by the Almond Board of 
California).
    These programs are single analyte, single substrate programs, but 
the domestic pistachio, peanut, and almond programs have the option of 
using two different methods. The export pistachio program and export 
almond program must use the specified method.
    (4) Any additional programs which may be requested in the future to 
facilitate the marketing of U.S. agricultural products.
    All laboratory approval programs will follow the same general 
pattern. There would be a letter of intent, a form for identification 
of the analyses they intend to perform, an on-site laboratory review, 
analysis of known samples, and analysis of proficiency samples. The 
length of time required would depend on the complexity of the analysis, 
and the time necessary to perform the analysis.
    The burden hours incurred for these laboratories to submit the 
initial letter requesting entrance, completion of a general laboratory 
checklist, and correctly analyzing the test samples is a one-time 
occurrence. Once a laboratory is accepted, the burden will decrease and 
is then based on the various laboratories analyzing test samples 
throughout the year to maintain its program status.
    Form ST-212 (Alternate Payment Form) has been developed and is 
included in the submission to OMB for approval. This is an option for 
applicant/approved laboratories to pay for the services.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8.55 hours per response.
    Respondents: Laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 82.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 666.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5695.3.
    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. Comments may be sent to Jane Ho, Technical 
Services Branch, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 0272 Washington, DC 20250-0272; Phone 202-690-0621, Fax 202-720-
4631. All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the same address.
    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.

    Dated: December 6, 2007.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-24057 Filed 12-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P