[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21485-21486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06598]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: Economic Research Service (ERS), Department of Agriculture 
(USDA).

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request to comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ERS is 
proposing a new information collection to study consumer's willingness 
to pay to prevent health effects of foodborne illness, ``Foodborne 
Illness Prevention Valuation Survey.''

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2024 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the address 
below.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to 
[email protected] and [email protected] identified by docket number 
0536-NEW.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Julie 
Parker at [email protected] or 202-868-7945.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of collection: Foodborne Illness Prevention Valuation Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Type of Request: A new information collection.
    Abstract:

Collection of Information for Foodborne Illness Prevention Valuation 
Survey

    The proposed data collection will survey U.S. consumers to study 
the value consumers place on preventing pain and suffering from 
foodborne illnesses and their long-term outcomes. The survey sample 
will be drawn from a panel of individuals recruited to be 
representative of the U.S. public. USDA Food Safety and Inspection 
Service uses these estimates in cost-benefit analysis of proposed food 
safety regulations. They also use information on the value consumers 
place on avoiding a range of foodborne illnesses to help inform food 
safety program priorities.
    This stated preference survey will enhance understanding of the 
value the public places on preventing foodborne illness. Like other 
cost of illness research, current cost of foodborne illness estimates 
includes cost of medical treatment, the value of lost time, and 
willingness to pay to reduce risk of death, but do not include the 
value consumers place on preventing the physical, emotional and social 
burden experienced from these illnesses. Economic theory supports the 
utility of measuring consumer willingness to pay for these non-monetary 
benefits of health protection, as demonstrated by recent survey

[[Page 21486]]

research in the United Kingdom and Australia. The proposed survey 
project will build upon these efforts.
    Participation in the survey will be voluntary. Respondents will be 
recruited online and will respond to an online survey. Data will be 
analyzed using discrete choice models to estimate consumers' 
willingness to pay to prevent pain and suffering from foodborne 
illnesses and their long-term outcomes. Results from the survey will 
provide the first U.S. estimates of consumer willingness to pay to 
prevent pain and suffering from foodborne illnesses. Results will be 
published in academic journals and Federal research reports. This will 
help ensure stakeholder and public access to results regarding the 
benefits of food safety programs. This work will also inform future 
studies on valuing prevention of foodborne illness.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of US 
Code (U.S.C.) 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) General duties of Secretary, advisory 
functions, research and development and 7 U.S.C 6971, Under Secretary 
of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, as implemented 
under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 7 CFR 2.21 which delegates 
to the Under Secretary, as Chief Scientist, the responsibility for 
agricultural systems and technology, including emerging agricultural 
research, education, and extension needs. This Notice is submitted in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (at 44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 
1320. 5 CFR part 1320.
    Confidentiality: All ERS employees and ERS contractors must also 
fully comply with all provisions of the Confidential Information 
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III 
of Public Law 115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. ch. 35.
    Estimate of Burden: The burden for this collection of information 
is estimated to average approximately 30 minutes per respondent 
completing the survey.
    Respondents: The respondents will be consumers across the United 
States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Up to 3,000 respondents completing 
the survey. This is based on a 30% response rate from a total of 10,000 
sampled consumers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Up to 2,000 hours 
(inclusive of completed responses and contacts).
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of ERS, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of ERS's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, use, and clarity of the information for respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; 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, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

Spiro Stefanou,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2024-06598 Filed 3-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P