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 

### 21700

Vol. 76, No. 74

Monday, April 18, 2011

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–ST–11–0034]**

**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 (AMS) intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget of a revision to a currently approved information
collection ‘‘ Laboratory Approval Programs ’’ in support of U.S. agricultural commodities.

**DATES :**  Comments received by June 17,

2011.

Additional Information or Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on this proposal to Jane Ho, Technical Services Branch, 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: December 30, 2011. Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved
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 certification, verification, and approval programs (under the general umbrella of laboratory approval programs) as needed by the agricultural industry, to support domestic and international marketing of U.S. products. The laboratory certification, verification, and 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 Verification 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) Aflatoxin in Pistachios Program (A High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for exporting pistachios to European Union requested by the California Pistachio Committee) and the domestic program using HPLC or a test kit analysis method (identified in the Pistachio Marketing Order); Aflatoxin in Peanuts Program (7 CFR part 996); and Aflatoxin in Almonds Program (requested by 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.

(4) 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.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 9.14 hours per

response.

Respondents: Laboratories. Estimated Number of Respondents:

83.

Estimated Total Annual Responses:

653.


### 21701 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2011 / Notices

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.87.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6010.42.

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, Technical Services Branch, 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: April 12, 2011. David R. Shipman, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2011–9317 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Document No. AMS–ST–11–0028]**

**Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Meeting** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice is intended to notify the public of their opportunity to attend an open meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board.

**DATES :**  May 11 and 12, 2011, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., open to the public.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting will be held in the United States Department of Agriculture George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4–2223, Beltsville, MD 20705. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Natalie Worku, Plant Variety Protection Office, Science and Technology Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705. Telephone number (301) 504–5518, fax (301) 504– 5291, or e-mail: natalie.worku@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Pursuant to the provisions of section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), this notice is given regarding an upcoming Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Board meeting. The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq. ) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, shrubs, and vines. The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327). The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the PVP Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ‘‘Public Interest in Wide Usage ’’ (7 U.S.C. 2404).

The proposed agenda for the PVP Board meeting will include a welcome by Department officials followed by a discussion focusing on program activities that encourage the development of new plant varieties and appeals to the Secretary. The agenda will also include presentations on the financial status of the PVP Office, ongoing business process reengineering project, E-business update, international
outreach activities and other related topics.

The meeting will be open to the public. Those wishing to attend the meeting are encouraged to pre-register by May 9, 2011 with the person listed
under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT** . Visitors entering the George Washington Carver Center should inform security personnel that they are attending the PVP Board meeting. Identification will be required to be admitted to the building. Security personnel will direct visitors to Room 4–2223. If you require accommodations, such as sign language interpreter, please contact the person listed under **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** . Minutes of the meeting will be available for public review 30 days following the meeting at the address listed under **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** . The minutes will also be posted on the
Internet Web site http:// www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/pvpo.

Dated: April 12, 2011. David R. Shipman, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2011–9326 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Forest Service**

**Ravalli County Resource Advisory**
**Committee**

**AGENCY :**  Forest Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Hamilton, Montana. The purpose of the meeting is to have presentations of projects for 2011.

**DATES :**  The meeting will be held May 24, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting will be held at

1801 N. First Street. Written comments should be sent to Stevensville RD, 88 Main Street, Stevensville, MT 59870. Comments may also be sent via e-mail

to dritter@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to

406–777–5461.

All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at Stevensville Ranger District. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 406–777– 5461 to facilitate entry into the building.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Dan Ritter or Nancy Trotter at 406–777–

5461.

Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The meeting is open to the public. Council
discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Council members. However, persons who wish to bring any matters