[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61724-61725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30319]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-066N]


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 exportation, transportation, 
and importation of meat and poultry products.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 
20, 1998.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork 
Specialist, (202) 720-0346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and 
Poultry Products.
    OMB Number: 0583-0094.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 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

[[Page 61725]]

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 exportation, transportation, and 
importation of meat and poultry products. FSIS requires that meat and 
poultry establishments exporting product to foreign countries complete 
an export certificate. Establishments must supply the type, amount, and 
destination of product being exported. The information required by on 
this form does not duplicate any information required by other Federal 
agencies. The form is necessary to certify to the importing countries 
that FSIS inspectors have inspected the product and have found it sound 
and wholesome. Additionally, FSIS uses the information from the form in 
its annual Report to Congress as required by sections 301(c)(4) and 
20(e) of the FMIA and sections 27 and 5(c)(4) of the PPIA.
    Meat and poultry products not marked with the mark of inspection 
and shipped from one official establishment to another for further 
processing must be transported under FSIS seal to prevent such unmarked 
product from entering into commerce. To track product shipped under 
seal, FSIS requires shipping establishments to complete a form that 
identifies the type, amount, and weight of the product.
    A foreign country exporting meat or poultry products to the U.S. 
must establish eligibility for importation of product into the U.S. and 
annually certify that its inspection systems are ``at least equal to'' 
the U.S. inspection system. To maintain eligibility, a written report 
must be prepared monthly by a representative of the foreign inspection 
system for each establishment listed in the certification. 
Additionally, meat and poultry products intended for import into the 
U.S. must be accompanied by a health certificate, signed by an official 
of the foreign government, stating that the products have been produced 
by certified foreign establishments. Establishments or brokers wishing 
to import product into the United States must complete a form that 
specifies the type, amount, originating country and destination of the 
meat and poultry product. The amount of meat and poultry product 
imported into the United States is included in FSIS's annual Report to 
Congress. Additionally, FSIS has established procedures allowing 
establishments importing product to stamp such product with the 
inspection legend prior to FSIS inspection, if they receive FSIS prior 
approval.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .0773501 hours per response.
    Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,374.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 295.88866.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 168,769 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 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: November 10, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-30319 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P