[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 8 (Monday, January 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2149-2151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00377]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2013-0040]


Notice of Request for Renewal of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection (Specified Risk Materials)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request a renewal of a currently approved information collection 
regarding specified risk materials

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(SRMs) in cattle because the OMB approval will expire on March 31, 
2014.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 14, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. 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 on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Room 
Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, 
Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots 
Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2013-0040. 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 comments received, go 
to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-
164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Paperwork Reduction Act 
Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 6077, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250; Telephone: (202) 690-6510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Specified Risk Materials.
    OMB Number: 0583-0129.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3/31/2014.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.). This statute provides that FSIS is 
to protect the public by verifying that meat products are safe, 
wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting renewal of an approved information collection 
addressing paperwork requirements regarding the regulations relating to 
SRMs in cattle because the OMB approval will expire on March 31, 2014.
    FSIS requires official establishments that slaughter cattle or 
process carcasses or parts of cattle to develop written procedures for 
the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs. The Agency requires 
that these establishments maintain daily records to document the 
implementation and monitoring of their procedures for the removal, 
segregation, and disposition of SRMs and any corrective actions that 
they take to ensure that the procedures are effective (9 CFR 310.22).
    FSIS also requires official slaughter establishments that transport 
carcasses or parts of cattle containing vertebral columns from cattle 
30 months of age and older to another federally inspected establishment 
for further processing to maintain records verifying that the official 
establishment that received the carcasses or parts, removed and 
properly disposed of the portions of the vertebral column designated as 
SRMs (9 CFR 310.22(g)).
    This monitoring and recordkeeping is necessary for establishments 
to further ensure--and for FSIS to verify--that meat and meat products 
distributed in commerce for use as human food do not contain SRMs.
    FSIS has made the following estimates for the renewal information 
collection:
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an 
average of approximately .12 hours per response.
    Respondents: Official establishments that slaughter cattle or 
process parts of cattle.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 3,512.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 303.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 123,916 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from Gina Kouba, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6077, 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: (202) 690-6510.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques, or other forms of 
information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the 
addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20253.
    Responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register.
    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. 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/wps/portal/fsis/programs-and-services/email-subscription-service. 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.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited 
bases apply to all programs.)
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact

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USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY).
    To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    Dated: January 8, 2014.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-00377 Filed 1-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P