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. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 15559

Vol. 79, No. 54

Thursday, March 20, 2014

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–ST–14–0021]**

**Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved** 
**Collection**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for

comments.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces that the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an
extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection ‘‘Laboratory Approval Programs’’.

**DATES :**  Comments received by May 19,
2014 will be considered.

Additional Information or Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on this proposal to Jane Ho, Laboratory Approval and Testing Division, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0272, Washington, DC 20250–0272; Phone
202–690–0621, Fax 202–720–4631.
Comments should be submitted in triplicate. Comments may also be submitted electronically through http:// www.regulations.gov. All comments
should reference the docket number and page number of this issue of the Federal Register . All comments received will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours and may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Laboratory Approval Programs.
OMB Number: 0581–0251. Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2014.

Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved
Information Collection.

Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), AMS provides analytical testing services that facilitate marketing and allow products to obtain grade designations or meet marketing or quality standards. Pursuant to this authority, AMS develops and maintains laboratory approval programs as needed by the agricultural industry, to support domestic and international marketing of U.S. products. The laboratory approval programs will remain voluntary and fee
for service.

To ensure that a laboratory is capable of accurately performing the specified analyses, it must adhere to certain good laboratory practices and show technical proficiency in the required areas.
Checklists and forms have been developed that ask the laboratory for information concerning procedures, the physical facility, employees, and their training. The laboratory must also provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the analyses and quality assurance. Most of the laboratory programs will include an on-site laboratory review. AMS will not approve a laboratory unless there is assurance that the laboratory is capable of performing accurate analyses.

The information collection requirements in this request are
essential to examine laboratories for entrance into the following programs:

(1) Analyst and Laboratory Certification Program for the Detection of Trichinae in Pork (An export program requested by Food Safety and Inspection Service).

(2) Laboratory approval program for Poultry and Pork Exported from the United States to Russia (An export program requested by Food Safety and Inspection Service).

This program contains the possibility of performing 12 different analyses in support of the exportation of poultry and pork to Russia. Laboratories choose how many and which analyses for which they wish to be approved. Each of microbiological/chemical analyses has its own methodology and time necessary to perform the analyses.

(3) Beta Agonists Program (An export program requested by Food Safety and Inspection Service). This is a new program, which has been added to the laboratory approval programs, since the
last submission.

This program permits qualified laboratories to analyze meat and meat products to confirm that Beta Agonists drug residues are not present in product samples.

(4) Aflatoxin in Pistachios Program (A High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for exporting pistachios to European Union (developed for the California Pistachio Committee) and the domestic program using HPLC or a test kit analysis method (7 CFR part 983); Aflatoxin in Peanuts Program (7 CFR part 996); and Aflatoxin in Almonds Program (developed for the Almond Board of California).

These programs are single analyte, single substrate programs, but the domestic pistachio, peanut, and almond programs have the option of using two different methods. The export pistachio program and export almond program must use the specified method.

(5) Any additional programs which may be requested in the future to facilitate the marketing of U.S. agricultural products.

All laboratory approval programs will follow the same general pattern. There would be a letter of intent, a form for identification of the analyses they intend to perform, an on-site laboratory review, analysis of known samples, and analysis of proficiency samples. The length of time required would depend on the complexity of the analysis, and the time necessary to perform the analysis.

The burden hours incurred for these
laboratories to submit the initial letter requesting entrance, completion of a general laboratory checklist, and correctly analyzing the test samples is a one-time occurrence. Once a laboratory is accepted, the burden will decrease
and is then based on the various laboratories analyzing test samples throughout the year to maintain its program status.

Form ST–212 (Alternate Payment Form) is an option for applicant/ approved laboratories to pay for the services. Interested parties can obtain a copy of the form (ST–212) by calling or writing to the point of contact listed
above. The information collection requirements in this request are
essential to examine laboratories for entrance into the programs.


### 15560 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 54 / Thursday, March 20, 2014 / Notices

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 9.25 hours per

response.

Respondents: Laboratories.
Estimated Number of Respondents:

85.

Estimated Total Annual Responses:

680.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6289.68.

Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (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. Comments may be sent to Jane Ho, Laboratory Approval and Testing Division, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0272, Washington, DC 20250–0272; Phone 202–690–0621, Fax 202–720–4631. All

comments received will be available for public inspection during regular

business hours at the same address.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval.

All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: March 7, 2014.

Anne Alonzo,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing

Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–06085 Filed 3–19–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE** 

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Docket No. AMS–TM–14–14–0029; TM–14– 02]** 

**Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion Program: Notice of**  **Emergency Approval of New**
**Information Collection for Local Food Promotion Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for

comments.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intention to request emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a
new collection under the Farmers’
Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion Program, includes two AMS competitive grant programs: Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). This new
collection establishes forms and
documentation under the Local Food Promotion Program.

**DATES :**  Comments received by May 19,
2014 will be considered.

Additional Information: Contact James Barham, Marketing Services Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA; 202/720–8317.

**ADDRESSES :**  Contact James Barham, Marketing Services Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4509-South Building, Washington, DC 20250; 202/ 720–8317, or fax 202/690–0031.

Comments should AMS–TM–14– 0029, TM–14–02 and be sent to James
Barham at the above address or via the

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Local Food Promotion Program
OMB Number: 0581–NEW. Expiration Date of Approval: 6 months from publication request.

Type of Request: Emergency request
for a new collection.

Abstract: The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) was initiallycreated by amending the Farmer-toConsumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3001–3006) through the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3005) (2002 Farm Bill). It was reauthorized, amended, and funded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 3005) (2008 Farm Bill). Under the recent passage of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79) (2014 Farm Bill), FMPP has been reauthorized, funded, expanded, and renamed as the
‘‘Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion Program.’’ As a result, AMS will manage two grant programs. The grant programs will be entitled ‘‘Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP),’’ and ‘‘Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).’’

The 2014 Farm Bill makes seven (7) additional changes under the ‘‘Farmers’
Market and Local Food Promotion Program’’:

1. There is a new emphasis on the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises (not including farmer-to-consumer direct marketing entities). Under the 2008 Farm Bill, authority was only provided to support farmer-to-consumer direct marketing activities. The 2014 Farm Bill establishes a more holistic approach for strengthening the local and regional food distribution system and essentially establishes two separate functions under this grant program: Fund direct marketing projects through FMPP grants, and fund local and regional food business enterprise projects through LFPP grants.

2. The purposes of the program are expanded by including such activities as ‘‘. . . providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement and expansion of’’ . . . ‘‘local and regional food business enterprises . . . that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products.’’

3. The eligibility of applicants is expanded. New language expands an agricultural cooperative to ‘‘an agricultural cooperative or other agriculture business entity (including a community supported agriculture network or association).’’

4. A 25 percent ‘‘cash or in kind’’ match has been introduced for projects
that will be submitted under the local and regional food business enterprise component of the Program. No match is required under FMPP grant program.

5. New priorities for annual awards have been established. Priority is to be given to ‘‘projects that benefit underserved communities, including communities that (1) are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown foods; and (2) have not received benefits from the Program in the recent past.’’