[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5117-5118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2137]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-043N]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection (Procedures for Notification of New Technology)

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 a currently approved information collection 
package (ICP) regarding Procedures for Notification of New Technology.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 5, 
2004.
    Additional Information or Comments: 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: Procedures for Notification of New Technology.
    OMB Number: 0583-0127.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 2/29/2004.
    Type of Request: Extension 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 to the ICP addressing paperwork and 
recordkeeping requirements regarding the procedures for notification of 
new technology.
    FSIS has established procedures for notifying the Agency of any new 
technology intended for use in official establishments and plants. 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: adversely affect the safety of the product, 
jeopardize the safety of Federal inspection personnel, interfere with 
inspection procedures, or require a waiver to a regulation. In 
addition, if the new technology could adversely affect the safety of 
the product, jeopardize the safety of Federal inspection personnel, 
interfere with inspection procedures, or require a waiver to a 
regulation, submitters are to provide a protocol for an in-plant trial 
as part of a pre-use review. FSIS expects the submitter of a protocol 
to provide data to the Agency throughout the duration of the in-plant 
trial.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Official establishments and plants; firms that 
manufacture or sell technology.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 290.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,400. 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 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

[[Page 5118]]

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. 04-2137 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
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