[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95099-95100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31252]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2016-0039]


Notice of Request for Revision of an Approved Information 
Collection (Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and 
Requests for Waivers)

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 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a 
revision of the approved information collection regarding the 
procedures for notifying the Agency about new technology and requests 
for waivers because the OMB approval will expire on April 30, 2017. 
Based on the latest available data, FSIS has increased its total annual 
burden estimate by 9,184 hours to account for in-plant trials, and 
monthly data collection and recordkeeping for establishments operating 
under a waiver.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
information collection. Comments may be submitted by one 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 Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Docket 
Clerk, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, 
Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots 
Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2016-0028. 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, Office of Policy and 
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250; (202) 720-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and 
Requests for Waivers.
    OMB Number: 0583-0127.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 4/30/2017.
    Type of Request: Revision of an 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.), the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et

[[Page 95100]]

seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et 
seq.). These statutes provide that FSIS is to protect the public by 
verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, not 
adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting a revision of the approved information 
collection regarding the procedures for notifying the Agency about new 
technology and requests for waivers because the OMB approval will 
expire on April 30, 2017. Based on the latest available data, FSIS has 
increased its total annual burden estimate by 9,184 hours to account 
for in-plant trials, and monthly data collection and recordkeeping for 
establishments operating under a waiver.
    FSIS has established procedures for notifying the Agency of any new 
technology intended for use in official meat and poultry establishments 
and egg products plants (68 FR 6873). To follow the procedures, 
establishments, plants, and firms that manufacture and sell technology 
to official establishments and plants notify the Agency by submitting 
documents describing the operation and purpose of the new technology. 
The documents should explain why the new technology will not (1) 
adversely affect the safety of the product, (2) jeopardize the safety 
of Federal inspection personnel, (3) interfere with inspection 
procedures, or (4) require a waiver of any Agency regulation. If use of 
the new technology will require a waiver of any Agency regulation, the 
notice should identify the regulation and explain why a waiver would be 
appropriate (9 CFR 303.2). If the new technology could affect FSIS 
regulations, product safety, inspection procedures, or the safety of 
inspection program personnel, the establishment or plant would need to 
submit a written protocol for an in-plant trial as part of a pre-use 
review. The submitter of a written protocol should provide data to the 
Agency throughout the duration of the in-plant trial.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment:
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an 
average of 8 hours to complete a notification of intent to use new 
technology if no in-plant trial is necessary. If an in-plant trial is 
necessary, FSIS estimates that it will take an average of 80 hours to 
develop a protocol and an average of 80 additional hours to collect 
data and keep records during the in-plant trial. FSIS estimates it will 
take respondents an average of 120 hours to collect data and conduct 
recordkeeping under a waiver.
    Respondents: Official meat and poultry establishments and egg 
product plants; firms that manufacture or sell technology to official 
establishments and plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75 respondents will submit 
notifications of intent to use new technology. 50 respondents will 
develop a protocol for and conduct an in-plant trial. 50 respondents 
will collect data and conduct recordkeeping for the duration of the in-
plant trial. 35 respondents will collect data and conduct recordkeeping 
under the waiver.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,800 hours.

Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from 
Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence SW., 6065, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250; (202) 720-5627.
    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

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS Web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this 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 our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the 
Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email 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/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, 
Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done at Washington, DC, on December 21, 2016.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-31252 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P