[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 89425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29694]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 238 / Monday, December 12, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 89425]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 7, 2016.
    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 are requested regarding (1) 
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; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden 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 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; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their 
comments to OMB via email to: [email protected] or fax (202) 
395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 
7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602.
    Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received by January 11, 2017. 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: National Organic Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0191.
    Summary of Collection: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 
1990, Title XXI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 
1990 (Farm Bill), U.S.C. Title 7 Section 6503(a) mandates that the 
Secretary of Agriculture develop a national organic program. The 
purposes of the regulation mandated by OFPA are: (1) To establish 
national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural 
products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that 
organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) to 
facilitate interstate commerce in fresh and processed food that is 
organically produced. The National Organic Program (NOP) regulation 
fulfills the requirements of the OFPA. It includes comprehensive 
production and handling standards, labeling provisions, requirements 
for the certification of producers and handlers, accreditation of 
certifying agents by USDA and an administrative subpart for fees, State 
Programs, National List, appeals, compliance and pesticide residue 
testing. Agricultural Marketing Service will approve programs for State 
governments wishing to establish State Organic Programs.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
by USDA, State program governing State officials, and certifying 
agents. The information is used to evaluate compliance with OFPA and 
NOP for administering the program, for management decisions and 
planning, for establishing the cost of the program and to support any 
administrative and regulatory actions in response to non-compliance 
with OFPA. Certifying agents will have to submit an application to USDA 
to become accredited to certify organic production and handling 
operations. Auditors will review the application, perform site 
evaluation and submit reports to USDA, who will make a decision to 
grant or deny accreditation. Producers, handlers and certifying agents 
whose operations are not approved have the right to mediation and 
appeal the decision. Reporting and recordkeeping are essential to the 
integrity of the organic certification system.
    In this renewal submission, AMS has removed the record-keeping 
burden attributed to the implementation of two organic certification 
cost-share programs: The National Organic Certification Cost-Share 
Program and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic 
Certification Cost-Share Program. Responsibility for the Organic Cost-
Share Programs is being transferred to the Farm Services Agency (FSA).
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 33,254.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 7,239,709.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-29694 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P