[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10528-10529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5122]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 11, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 10528]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LS-07-0131; LS-07-16]


United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims, 
Naturally Raised Claim for Livestock and the Meat and Meat Products 
Derived From Such Livestock

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 the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), for a new information collection for CFR 
Part 62--Quality Systems Verification Program (QSVP). AMS established a 
voluntary standard for a naturally raised marketing claim that 
livestock producers may request to have verified by the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA). This standard will become effective once this 
information collection is approved by OMB. AMS verification of this 
claim would be accomplished through an audit of the production process 
in accordance with procedures that are contained in Part 62 of Title 7 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 62). After approval, AMS 
will submit a request to merge this information collection into the 
currently approved OMB Number 0581-0124, 7 CFR Part 54 Meats, Prepared 
Meats and Meat Products (Grading, Certification & Standards) and 7 CFR 
Part 62 Quality Systems Verification Program (QSVP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before May 11, 
2009 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this new information collection notice. Comments should be 
submitted through the Web site at http://www.regulations.gov. Send 
written comments to: New Information Collection for Naturally Raised 
Standard, Room 2607-S, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0254, or by facsimile to (202) 720-1112. All 
comments should reference the docket number AMS-LS-07-0131; LS-07-16. 
All comments received will be posted without change, including any 
personal information provided, on the Web site at http://www.regulations.gov and will be made available for public inspection at 
the above physical address during regular business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing 
Claims, Naturally Raised Claim for Livestock and the Meat and Meat 
Products Derived from such Livestock.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of OMB Approval.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 
as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), directs and authorizes the Secretary 
of Agriculture ``to develop and improve standards of quality, 
condition, quantity, grade, and packaging, and recommend and 
demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and 
consistency in commercial practices.''
    AMS established a voluntary standard for a naturally raised 
marketing claim that livestock producers may request to have verified 
by USDA (see 74 FR 3541). AMS verification of this claim would be 
accomplished through an audit of the production process in accordance 
with procedures that are contained in 7 CFR part 62.
    The application for verification services requests the USDA 
employees to perform such services at the designated location. The 
information contained on the applications constitutes an agreement 
between USDA and the requesting entity.
    QSVP are a collection of voluntary, audit-based, user-fee funded 
programs that allow applicants to have program documentation and 
program processes assessed by AMS auditor(s) and other USDA officials. 
QSVP are user-fees based on the approved hourly rate established under 
7 CFR part 62. Applicants (individual or business with financial 
interest in the product) may request services through the submission of 
Form-313 ``Application for Service.'' In addition to the application 
for service, applicant would have to develop a technical proposal 
documenting their quality management system.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 11 hours per response including 
documentation needed to conform to audit requirements.
    Respondents: Livestock and meat industry or other for-profit 
businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 44 responses.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2 responses.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 483 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    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.


[[Page 10529]]


    Dated: March 5, 2009.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-5122 Filed 3-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P