[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60820-60821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23976]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection Under the Packers and Stockyards Act

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Grain Inspection, Packers and 
Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) intention to request approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a 
currently approved information collection in support of the reporting 
and

[[Page 60821]]

recordkeeping requirements under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 
1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act). This approval is required 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by December 2, 2013.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Internet: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
     Hardcopy: Mail, hand deliver, or courier to Dexter Thomas, 
GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2530-S, Washington, DC 
20250-3604.
     Fax: (202) 690-2173.
    Instructions: All comments should refer to the date and page number 
of this issue of the Federal Register. The comments and other documents 
relating to this action will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine M. Grasso, Program Analyst, 
Policy and Litigation Division at (202) 720-7201 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GIPSA administers and enforces the P&S Act 
(7 U.S.C. 181-229, 229c). The P&S Act prohibits unfair, deceptive, and 
fraudulent practices by livestock market agencies, dealers, stockyard 
owners, meat packers, swine contractors, and live poultry dealers in 
the livestock, poultry, and meatpacking industries.
    Title: Packers and Stockyards Program Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0580-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2014.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The P&S Act and the regulations issued under the P&S Act 
authorize the collection of information for the purpose of enforcing 
the P&S Act and regulations and for conducting studies requested by 
Congress. Through the forms in this information collection, GIPSA's 
Packers and Stockyards Program (P&SP) gathers information that keeps 
P&SP current on the ownership and operations of regulated entities 
which permit P&SP oversight of the regulated entities. For example, 
P&SP gathers information regarding the number of head of livestock 
purchased and the cost of the livestock to determine if the entity is 
adequately bonded to protect the livestock sellers. The information 
regarding the amount of livestock purchased is also consolidated for 
public reporting in GIPSA's annual report. Other financial information 
is gathered to determine if the regulated entities are operating while 
solvent as required by the P&S Act. This information collection is 
necessary for GIPSA to monitor and examine financial, competitive, and 
trade practices in the livestock, meat packing, and poultry industries. 
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
concerning GIPSA's information collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting and recordkeeping burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 1.73 hours per 
response.
    Respondents (Affected Public): Livestock auction markets, livestock 
dealers, packer buyers, meat packers, and live poultry dealers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,900.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 348,328 hours.
    As required by the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) and its 
implementing regulations (5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)), GIPSA specifically 
requests comments 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.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3506 and 5 CFR 1320.8.

Larry Mitchell,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-23976 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
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