[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5116-5117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2136]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 22 / Tuesday, February 3, 2004 / 
Notices

[[Page 5116]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-042N]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection (Application for Inspection, 
Accreditation of Laboratories, and Exemptions)

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 the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection package (ICP) regarding Application for 
Inspection, Accreditation of Laboratories, and Exemptions.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 5, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-
0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Application for Inspection, Accreditation of Laboratories, 
and Exemptions.
    OMB Number: 0583-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3/31/2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently 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 seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act 
(EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS 
protect the public by taking regulatory actions to provide that meat, 
poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and 
properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the ICP addressing 
paperwork and recordkeeping requirements regarding the application for 
inspection, accreditation of laboratories, and exemptions.
    FSIS requires meat, poultry, and import establishments to apply for 
a grant of inspection before they can receive Federal inspection. FSIS 
also requires establishments that wish to receive voluntary inspection 
to apply for inspection. Establishments that wish to export or import 
product most also submit certain documents to the Agency.
    The Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 642), the Poultry 
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 460 (b)), and the Egg Products 
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1040) require certain parties to keep records 
that fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in their 
businesses related to relevant animal carcasses and parts and egg 
products.
    FSIS requires FSIS accredited non-Federal analytical laboratories 
to maintain certain paperwork and records. The Agency uses this 
collected information to ensure that all meat and poultry 
establishments produce safe, wholesome, and unadulterated product, and 
that non-federal laboratories act in accordance with FSIS regulations.
    In addition, FSIS also collects information to ensure that meat and 
poultry establishments exempted from Agency inspection do not commingle 
inspected and non-inspected meat and poultry products, and that 
establishments qualifying for a retail store exemption who have 
violated the provision of that exemption are no longer in violation.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .03 hours per response.
    Respondents: Official establishments and plants; brokers, etc.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 16,720.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 202.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 114,558. Copies of 
this information collection assessment can be obtained from John 
O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, 
DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5627, (202) 720-0345.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of FSIS' 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; 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. Comments may be sent to both John O'Connell, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and 
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
    All 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, in an effort to better ensure 
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it and make copies of this Federal Register 
publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS 
provides a weekly Constituent Update, which is communicated via 
Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service. In addition, the update 
is available on-line through the Internet at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. 
The update is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, 
procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public 
meetings, recalls, and any other types of information that could affect 
or would

[[Page 5117]]

be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The constituent 
Listserv consists of industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer 
interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific professionals, 
and other individuals that have requested to be included. Through the 
Listserv and web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much 
broader, more diverse audience.
    For more information contact the Congressional and Public Affairs 
Office, at (202) 720-9113. To be added to the free e-mail subscription 
service (Listserv) go to the ``Constituent Update'' page on the 
Internet at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update/update.htm. Click on the 
``Subscribe to the Constituent Update Listserv'' link, then fill out 
and submit the form.

    Done at Washington, DC, on January 29, 2004.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-2136 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
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