[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71773-71774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29167]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LS-12-0047]


Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Covered Commodities: 
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 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 the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for an extension and revision to the currently 
approved information collection of the Mandatory Country of Origin 
Labeling (COOL) of Covered Commodities.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 4, 2013.
    Comments: Comments should be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be submitted to Julie Henderson, 
Director, COOL Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); 
STOP 0216; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2620-S; Washington, DC 
20250-0216. All comments should reference docket number AMS-LS-12-0047 
and note the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register.
    Submitted comments will be available for public inspection at 
http://www.regulations.gov or at the above address during regular 
business hours. Comments submitted in response to this Notice will be 
included in the records and will be made available to the public. 
Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities 
submitting the comments will be made public on the Internet at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Henderson, Director, COOL 
Division, AMS, USDA, by telephone at (202) 720-4486, or email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Covered Commodities.
    OMB Number: 0581-0250.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection
    Abstract: The 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills amended the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 to require retailers to notify their customers of 
the country of origin of muscle cuts and ground beef (including veal), 
lamb, pork, chicken, and goat; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; 
perishable agricultural commodities; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia 
nuts; and ginseng. An interim final rule for mandatory COOL for fish 
and shellfish became effective on April 4, 2005. An interim final rule 
for the remaining covered commodities became effective on September 30, 
2008. On January 15, 2009, a final rule was published for all covered 
commodities which became effective March 16, 2009. Enforcement 
activities have been conducted since 2006 utilizing cooperative 
agreements established with State agencies.
    Individuals who supply covered commodities, whether directly to 
retailers or indirectly through other participants in the marketing 
chain, are required to establish and maintain country of origin and, if 
applicable, method of production information for the covered 
commodities and supply this information to retailers. As a result 
producers, handlers, manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and 
retailers of covered commodities are affected.
    This public reporting burden is a necessary to ensure accuracy of 
country of origin and method of production declarations relied upon at 
the point of sale at retail. The public reporting burden also assures 
that all parties involved in supplying covered commodities to retail 
stores maintain and convey accurate information as required.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for recordkeeping 
storage and maintenance is estimated to average 19 hours per year per 
individual.
    Respondents: Retailers, wholesalers, producers, handlers, and 
importers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,655,905.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 31,437,002.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 19.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 31,437,002.
    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

[[Page 71774]]

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.

    Dated: November 28, 2012.
David R. Shipman,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29167 Filed 12-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P