[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46472-46473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23249]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-053N]


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

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 regarding ante-mortem and post-mortem 
inspection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before November 
3, 1997.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork 
Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Inspection.
    OMB Number: 0583-0090.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 1997.
    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 provided in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS 
protect the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, 
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the information 
collection package addressing meat and poultry paperwork and 
recordkeeping requirements regarding ante-mortem and post-mortem 
inspection. Such information collections are necessary to ensure that 
meat and poultry products are wholesome and unadulterated.
    FSIS permits poultry establishments to operate under the 
Streamlined Inspection System (SIS), the New Line Speed (NELS) 
Inspection System, or the New Turkey Inspection (NTI) System. These 
systems are post-mortem inspection systems that have enabled the 
poultry industry to increase their daily production. To operate under 
SIS for broilers and Cornish game hens, establishments must request and 
receive approval from the Agency. Establishments operating under NELS 
and NTI must develop and maintain a partial quality control(PQC) 
programs. There are information collection requirements associated with 
the request, approval, and daily operations of these systems. FSIS 
program employees review the records relating to the systems operation 
at least three times a week to verify regulatory compliance.
    Meat and poultry establishments wishing to slaughter animals 
treated with experimental biological products, drugs or chemicals must 
provide certain information and supporting data for review by the 
Agency before approval may be granted. Also, persons or entities 
wishing to obtain specimens of diseased, condemned or inedible material 
must submit information to FSIS.
    Because of the continued need for these information collection 
activities, FSIS is requesting OMB extension for and revision of the 
Information Collection Request covering information collection 
activities related to these requirements.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .0216572 hours per response.
    Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,114.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 817.20466.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,716 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment and comments can 
be obtained from Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street SW, Room 109, Washington, DC 
20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.
    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information

[[Page 46473]]

is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 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; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information 
technology.
    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.

    Dated: August 26, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-23249 Filed 9-2-97; 8:45 am]
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