[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16182-16183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06226]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LP-20-0103]


Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural 
Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection used in support of the 
Regulations Governing the Inspection of Eggs (as authorized by the Egg 
Products Inspection Act (EPIA)), which is commonly referred to as the 
Shell Egg Surveillance Program (OMB: 0581-0113).

DATES: Comments must be received by May 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by using the electronic process available at 
www.regulations.gov. Written comments may also be submitted to Quality 
Assessment Division; Livestock and Poultry Program; AMS, USDA; 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258; Washington, DC 20250-0258. All 
comments should reference the docket number AMS-LP-20-0103, the date of 
submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. 
All comments received will be posted without change, including any 
personal information provided, at www.regulations.gov and will be made 
available for public inspection at the above physical address during 
regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Hartley, Branch Chief, Quality 
Assessment Division; (202) 720-7316; or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview of This Information Collection

    (1) Agency: USDA, AMS.
    (2) Title: Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Egg Products 
Inspection Act).
    (3) OMB Number: 0581-0113.
    (4) Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2021.
    (5) Type of Request: Request for extension of and revision of a 
currently approved information collection.
    (6) Abstract: Congress enacted the EPIA (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056) to 
provide, in part, a mandatory inspection program to control the 
disposition of dirty and checked shell eggs; to control unwholesome, 
adulterated, and inedible shell eggs that are unfit for human 
consumption; and to control the movement and disposition of imported 
shell eggs.
    The EPIA authorized USDA to issue regulations describing how this 
function would be carried out to ensure that only eggs fit for human 
consumption are used for such purposes. To this end, USDA published the 
EPIA, commonly referred to as the Shell Egg Surveillance Program, in 7 
CFR part 57.
    Under the Shell Egg Surveillance Program, shell egg handlers and 
hatcheries are required to register with USDA. A State or Federal 
surveillance inspector visits each registered handler quarterly to 
verify that shell eggs packed for consumer use are in compliance with 
the regulations (e.g., restricted eggs are not used for human 
consumption, storage temperatures are maintained at 45 degrees ambient, 
etc.), that restricted eggs are being disposed of properly, and that 
adequate records are being maintained.
    The information and recordkeeping requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of Congress, to administer the 
mandatory inspection program, and to take regulatory action, in 
accordance with the regulations and the EPIA. The forms within this 
collection package require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the regulations, and their 
use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the EPIA.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the AMS Livestock and Poultry Program's Quality 
Assessment Division, which includes State agencies authorized to 
conduct inspections on AMS' behalf. The information is only used to 
verify compliance with the EPIA and the regulations, and it is used to 
facilitate regulatory action. AMS is the primary user of the 
information; secondary users include each authorized State agency that 
has a cooperative agreement with AMS. There have been no changes in the 
Shell Egg Surveillance Program or in the information collection 
requirements. There is an overall decrease of -462.85 burden hours and 
a decrease of 45 respondents from the previous submission primarily due 
to industry consolidation.
    (7) Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .28 hours per response.
    (8) Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits, and small 
businesses or organizations.
    (9) Estimated Number of Respondents: 760.
    (10) Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.
    (11) Estimated Total Annual Responses: 5,235.50.
    (12) Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,479.43 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
AMS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
the accuracy of AMS' 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 responses will become a matter of public 
record,

[[Page 16183]]

including any personal information provided.

Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06226 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
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