[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 90 (Friday, May 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27355-27356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09871]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intent of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Livestock Slaughter Survey. 
Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of 
the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 7, 2020 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0005, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Efax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
David Hancock NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336A, Mail Stop 2024, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: NASS Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336A, South Building, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin L. Barnes, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Livestock Slaughter Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0005.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2020.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service

[[Page 27356]]

is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and 
livestock production, prices, and disposition as well as economic 
statistics, farm numbers, land values, on-farm pesticide usage, pest 
crop management practices, as well as the Census of Agriculture. 
Livestock slaughter data are used to estimate U.S. red meat production 
and reconcile inventory estimates which provide producers and the rest 
of the industry with current and future information on market supplies. 
This data is also used in preparing production, disposition, and income 
statistics which facilitate more orderly production, marketing, and 
processing of livestock and livestock products. NASS compiles data from 
both Federally Inspected and Non-Federally Inspected Slaughter Plants.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this 
authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 
1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict 
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of 
Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also 
complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ``Implementation Guidance 
for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information 
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal 
Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362.
    Estimate of Burden: The Livestock Slaughter Survey includes a 
weekly survey of approximately 900 Federally Inspected (FI) slaughter 
plants and a monthly survey of approximately 1,100 State Inspected (SI) 
slaughter plants. Slaughter data is compiled by the Federal and State 
inspectors, therefore NASS does not contact these operations. NASS 
collects data only from the smaller independent plants and combines 
this data with the FI and SI data to create a national report. The 
smaller, independent operations (approximately 1,000 operations) are 
contacted either monthly, quarterly, or annually. Public reporting 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 
minutes per response for an estimated annual burden of 1,800 hours. 
(The USDA and State inspectors are not included in the calculation of 
total burden, since they are performing this task as a part of their 
job functions.)
    Respondents: Farmers and custom/state inspected slaughter plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,800 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (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 on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of 
information technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, April 23, 2020.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-09871 Filed 5-7-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P