[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52678-52679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21377]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 24, 2012.
    The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information 
collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date 
of publication of this notice. 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), New 
Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; [email protected] 
or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by October 1, 2012. 
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

    Title: Reporting Requirements under Regulations Governing 
Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy 
Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0126.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), directs and authorizes the Department to develop 
standards of quality, condition, quantity, grading programs, and 
services to enable a more orderly marketing of agricultural products. 
The Government, industry and consumer will be well served if the 
Government can help insure that dairy products are produced under 
sanitary conditions and that buyers have the choice of purchasing the 
quality of the product they desire. The dairy grading program is a 
voluntary user fee program. In order for a voluntary inspection program 
to perform satisfactorily with a minimum of confusion, information must 
be collected to determine what services are requested.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
to identify the product offered for grading, to identify and contact 
the individuals responsible for payment of the grading fee and to 
identify the person responsible for administering the grade label 
program. The Agriculture Marketing service will use several forms to 
collect essential information to carry out and administer the 
inspection and grading program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.
    Number of Respondents: 400.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 364.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: National Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and 
Information Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0258.
    Summary of Collection: The Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, 
and Information Order (7 CFR part 1208) was established under the 
Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996, (Act) (7 
U.S.C. 7411-7425). The program consists of projects relating to 
research, consumer information, advertising, sales promotion, producer 
information, market development and product research to assist, 
improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, and utilization of 
processed raspberries. The program is administered by a Council 
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and financed by a

[[Page 52679]]

mandatory assessment on producers and importers of processed 
raspberries.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service 
will use several forms to collect the necessary information. The forms 
require the minimum information necessary to carry out the intent of 
the Act. The objective in carrying out this responsibility includes 
assuring the following: (1) Funds are collected and properly accounted 
for; (2) expenditures of all funds are for the purposes authorized by 
the Act and Order; and (3) the council's administration of the programs 
conforms to USDA policy.
    Description of Respondents: Producers, first handlers, importers, 
foreign producers, and at-large nominees.
    Number of Respondents: 297.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Quarterly; 
Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 282.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: National Organic Program; NOP Import Certificate.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0280.
    Summary of Collection: The National Organic Program (NOP) is 
authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended, (7 
U.S.C. 6501 et seq.). Under 7 CFR 205.500(c)(2) of the NOP regulations, 
the Department of Agriculture will accept a foreign certifying agent's 
accreditation to certify organic production or handling operations if 
the foreign government authority that accredited the foreign certifying 
agent acted under an equivalency agreement negotiated between the 
United States and the foreign government. On February 12, 2012 the U.S. 
and the European Union (EU) finalized an equivalence arrangement that 
became effective on June 1, 2012.
    Need and Use of the Information: Organic products certified to the 
USDA organic standards or EU organic standards may be sold, labeled, 
and represented as organic in both countries as long as the terms of 
the arrangement are met. Organic products exported for sale to the U.S. 
must be accompanied by an NOP Import Certificate. EU designated 
certification entities will issue NOP Import Certificates for each 
shipment of organic product from the EU to the U.S. The NOP Import 
Certificate is necessary to document that the organic products were 
certified under the EU organic regulations and meet all the 
requirements specified in the EU-U.S. organic equivalency arrangement.
    Description of Respondents: EU Designated Certification Entities.
    Number of Respondents: 205.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On Occasion; Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,091.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-21377 Filed 8-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P