[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 63434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26027]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2010-0016]


Availability of Compliance Guide for the Use of Video or Other 
Electronic Monitoring or Recording Equipment in Federally Inspected 
Establishments

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and opportunity for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the availability of a compliance guide on the use of video or other 
electronic monitoring or recording equipment in federally inspected 
establishments. FSIS has posted this compliance guide on its 
Significant Guidance Documents Web page (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Significant_Guidance/index.asp). FSIS is publishing this as draft 
guidance while pursuing OMB approval of information collection under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act related to Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Point and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures video 
records. FSIS is soliciting comments on this compliance guide. Once 
FSIS receives OMB approval on the information collection, it will 
reissue a final guide. At that time, FSIS may also make changes to the 
guide based on comments received on the draft guide.

DATES: Submit written comments by December 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice and the compliance guide. Comments may be submitted by either of 
the following methods:
    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.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments.
    Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-
delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside 
Avenue, Mailstop 5272, Beltsville, MD 20705-5474.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2010-0016. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Arrington, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), by phone 
at (402) 344-5000 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This compliance guide provides information to industry to help it 
maintain compliance with Federal regulations, including humane 
treatment of livestock and the use of good commercial practices in 
poultry.
    FSIS is providing this draft guide to advise establishments that 
video or other electronic monitoring or recording equipment can be used 
in federally inspected establishments. This guide informs 
establishments of the Agency's expectations if they decide to use this 
type of equipment to create records to meet the requirements of the 
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points regulations, or the 
regulations governing Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures. In 
addition, this guide provides information on issues establishments 
should consider if they use this equipment for any other purpose, such 
as part of their food defense plans.
    FSIS is publishing this draft guide while pursuing OMB approval of 
information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act related to 
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and Sanitation Standard 
Operating Procedures video records. FSIS is requesting comments through 
a separate Federal Register document on this information collection. 
Until the Agency receives OMB approval for the information collection, 
the draft guide should not be viewed as authoritative. Once FSIS 
receives OMB approval, it will issue a final guide. At that time, FSIS 
may also make changes to the guide based on comments received on the 
draft guide.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web page located 
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2010_Notices_Index/index.asp.
    FSIS will also 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, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, 
FSIS offers an electronic 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 accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC, on September 15, 2010.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-26027 Filed 10-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P