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Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report—July 2013—USDA

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

USDA – Food Safety

Food Safety & 

Inspection 

Service (FSIS)

0583-AD39 Electronic Import 

Inspection and 

Certification of 

Imported Products 

and Foreign 

Establishments

This rule will amend import 

inspection regulations to provide 

for the electronic transmittal of 

foreign establishment certificates 

and foreign inspection certificates. 

FSIS will also propose to amend its 

regulations to give importers the 

option of submitting electronic 

import inspection applications.

Final rule to publish 

by 9/2013.

The final rule, in conjunction with the Public Health 

Information System, will reduce the information 

collection burden on importers by approximately 

10,000 hours. 

The electronic import system will also facilitate the 

import product foreign inspection and annual 

foreign establishment certifications by providing 

immediate and direct electronic government-togovernment exchange of information; as well as 

exchange of information with to the CBP system.

The new business practice may be operational as 

early as March or April 2012, and the regulations 

will codify the changes.

The final rule is under 

development and expected to 

publish by September 2013. 

FSIS 0583-AD41 Electronic Export 

Application and 

Certification Fee

The electronic export application and 

certification system will be a 

component of the Agency's Public 

Health Information System (PHIS). 

The export component of PHIS will be 

available as an alternative to the 

paper-based application and 

certification process.

Final rule to publish 

by 12/2013.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Actual amount TBD. 

When an electronic government-to-government 

system interface or data exchange is used, 

fraudulent transactions’, such as false alterations 

and reproductions will be significantly reduced, if 

not eliminated. Moreover, the workload of the 

inspection personal is reduced through the 

elimination of physical handling and processing of 

applications and certificates, reducing a two step 

process to one step.

The final rule is under 

development and expected to 

publish by December 2013. 
2

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

FSIS 0583-AC59 Prior Labeling 

Approval System: 

Generic Label 

Approval

This rulemaking will continue an 

effort initiated several years ago by 

amending FSIS' regulations to expand 

the types of labeling that are 

generically approved.

Final Rule expected 

to publish by 

9/2013 with a 60-

day 

implementation 

date.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden hours on industry by 34,971.

The proposed rule would be beneficial because it 

would streamline the generic labeling process, 

while imposing no additional cost burden on 

establishments. Consumers would benefit because 

industry would have the ability to introduce 

products to the marketplace more quickly. 

Moreover, the change would make better use of 

FSIS resources because it would reduce the number 

of labels required to be reviewed by the Agency.

The final rule is under 

development and expected to 

publish by September 2013. 

FSIS 0583-AD32 Modernization of 

Poultry Slaughter 

inspection 

This rule will modernize young 

chicken and turkey slaughter 

inspection in the United States by 

focusing FSIS inspection resources on 

the areas of the poultry production 

system that pose the greatest risk to 

food safety. The new inspection 

system will shift the responsibility for 

detecting visible carcass defects from 

FSIS inspectors to plant employees. 

FSIS will continue to conduct an online carcass-by-carcass inspection, 

but FSIS inspectors will be located 

further down the production line, 

where they will be presented with 

carcasses that have fewer defects to 

inspect. 

Final rule to publish 

by 9/2013 with an 

effective date 60

days after the 

publication date. 

Full

implementation

may take up to two 

years in plants that 

opt in. 

The final rule will reduce costs by making better use 

of the Agency’s inspection resources and improving 

the effectiveness of inspection systems. It is also 

expected to reduce the risk of foodborne illness in 

the United States and remove unnecessary barriers 

to innovation. The final rule will provide the 

framework for action to provide public healthbased inspection in all establishments that 

slaughter amenable poultry species.

The final rule is under 

development and expected to 

publish by September 2013. 
3

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

USDA – National Resources and Environment

Forest 

Service(FS)

0596-AD01 National 

Environmental Policy 

Act Efficiencies

The Forest Service is proposing to 

develop and provide notice and 

comment on the addition of new 

categorical exclusions (CEs) to its 

NEPA Regulations. These CEs, 

designed to expedite landscape 

restoration activities on National 

Forests, Grasslands, and Prairies, will 

supplement existing Agency 

categorical exclusions found in 36 

CFR part 220.6.

Final Rule to 

publish by 8/2013.

Categorical exclusions will reduce cost and time 

commitment burden on the Agency without 

reducing environmental protection.

The final rule is under 

development. 

USDA – Rural Development

Rural Business 

Services (RBS)

0570-AA76

0570-0050

0570-0061

0570-0059

Rural Energy America 

Program 

The rule proposes to change the RES 

and EEI grant application 

requirements to reduce burden and 

streamline the application process by 

requesting documentation for a 

complete application based on total 

project costs.

Final Rule to 

publish by 9/2014.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Notably, an estimated 20 

percent reduction in the number of hours it takes 

to complete a technical report for those 

applications for projects with total project costs 

(TPC) of more than $80,000 to $200,000; the 

elimination of a technical report for those 

applications for projects with TPC of $80,000 or 

less; and a 50 percent reduction in the number of 

hours it takes to complete the narrative portion of 

an application.

The proposed rule published 

April 12, 2013. The final rule is 

expected to publish by 

September 2014. 

RBS 0570–AA85 Business and Industry 

Loan Guaranteed 

Program

The proposed rule will alter the way 

RBS services the loan guarantees 

making the program operate at a 

lower cost.

Final rule to be 

published by

9/2014.

Estimated reduction in Burden up to 2,000 hours. The proposed rule is under

development and expected to 

publish by September 2013.

Rural Housing 

Service

0575-AC91 Community Facilities 

Loan and Grants

Update program operation in an 

effort to consolidate, streamline, and 

Final Rule to 

publish in May 

The agency is aligning its application requirements 

with the lending industry. As such, approximately 

The proposed rule is under 

development and is expected to 
4

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

simplify existing processes. 2014. 90 applicants each year would not be required to 

provide an examination opinion, which averages 

about $45,000 each. Hence, this change will save 

the public approximately $4 million a year.

publish by September 2013.

USDA – Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

Farm Service 

Agency and Risk 

Management 

Agency

0563-0084 Acreage and Crop 

Reporting 

Streamlining Initiative

To improve and streamline the 

existing information collection 

activities currently approved by OMB 

by eliminating or minimizing the 

duplication of information collected 

by each of the agencies

Implementation is 

to be conducted in 

phases with the 

first phase 

occurring in 

selected counties in 

Kansas.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Actual amount TBD.

OMB cleared the information 

collection on March 23, 2012.

The first phase of the USDA 

acreage reporting web 

application was available for 

acreage reporting in 4 counties 

in Kansas in Spring 2013. The 

pilot web application will be 

pilot-tested by FSA employeeproducers in Dickenson, Marion, 

McPherson, and Saline counties 

in Kansas during our Production 

Validation Exercise phase (PVE).

The first phase of consolidated 

entity types, the common USDA 

commodity table, and acreage 

reporting by Common Land 

Unit, are in place.

For the 2013 crop year, the 

following USDA-wide changes 

have been or are in the process 

of being implemented:
5

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

• location identifiers aligned 

to ANSI standards;

• acreage reporting dates 

consolidation; and

• data governance process to 

maintain common data 

standards over time.

USDA – Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Animal Plant 

Health & 

Inspection 

Service (APHIS)

0579-0007, 

0579-0047, 

0579-

0070/0137, 

0579-0101, 

0579-0127, 

0579-0137, 

0579-0146, 

0579-0148, 

0579-0185, 

0579-0189, 

0579-0192, 

0579-0324, 

0579-0338, 

0579-0367

Certification, 

Accreditation, 

Registration, Permits, 

and other Licenses 

(CARPOL)

APHIS is creating a new electronic 

system to replace its ePermits system 

that will integrate 

programs/processes that are 

currently not electronic and/or part 

of a consolidated system. The 

CARPOL system will streamline all 

certification, accreditation, 

registration, permitting, and other 

license processes across APHIS and 

will communicate with other 

systems. 

The Target 

Completion Date is 

12/2014; however, 

this will be an 

ongoing initiative.

APHIS anticipates both savings in cost and 

information collection burdens for APHIS and the 

public. The affected publics would be State, Local, 

and Tribal Governments; Businesses and Other ForProfits (small entities included); Not-for-Profits; 

Farms; Individuals and Households; and Foreign 

Federal Governments.

The Assessment of business 

practices will be an ongoing 

initiative to incorporate 

certifications, accreditations and 

other license processes. The 

Target Completion Date for 

completion of the permitting 

phase of the Assessment of 

business practices is 12/2014. 

APHIS continues to do the 

preparatory work associated 

with this initiative, but does not 

expect to solicit proposals this 

fiscal year. 
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EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency Sub-Agency Title Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA FSIS Generic Label 

Approval

This initiative would streamline the generic labeling

process for meat and poultry by expanding the types of 

labeling that are generically approved.

34,971 Cost savings of $8.7 

million over 10 years 

11/2013*

* Subject to change

USDA FNS Direct Certification for 

School Meals

Under the direct certification process, a local educational 

agency obtains documentation of a child’s receipt of 

SNAP benefits from the State or local program office. By 

eliminating the need for paper applications for many lowincome families, direct certification helps to substantially 

reduce paperwork burden and simplify program access 

for participants.

113,000 Not identified Already in effect.
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EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency Sub-Agency Title Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA APHIS Forms for Declaration 

Mandated by 2008 

Farm Bill

The Lacey Act amendments included in the 2008 Farm Bill 

require the declaration of imported plant and plant 

products. APHIS, in cooperation with other Federal 

entities, has implemented a number of initiatives to 

reduce the burden on importers. APHIS has been 

developing an electronic entry system and solicited public 

comment on regulatory options on several issues, 

including a de minimis exemption for the declaration 

requirement. 

Electronic entry system (known 

as Lacey Act Web Governance 

System or LAWGS): It is 

estimated that some time would 

be saved due to importers using 

templates of forms saved from 

previously submitted electronic 

entries; postage and filing fees 

would also be saved.

De minimis exemption: The de 

minimis exemption would 

provide industry cost and time 

savings by eliminating the need 

for declarations of products with 

little plant material. The 

solicitation for comment 

indicated 2 percent, 5 percent, 

and 10 percent of volume, 

weight, or value. If it is assumed 

that at least 2 percent of all 

declarations currently received 

would not be received under de 

minimis, the savings would be 

120,000 hours (12 million 

anticipated under full 

implementation *0.02*0.5 

hours per declarations) 

Electronic entry system: 

cost savings to industry

estimated at $1.7 

million - $5.7 million 

[57,600 entries (those 

currently received in 

paper format) * $30 to 

$100 broker's fees]. The 

Government will incur 

cost of $750,000 to 

develop and implement 

the entry system.

De minimis exemption: 

The ANPRM proposed 

thresholds of 2 percent, 

5 percent, or 10 

percent. Assuming that 

at least 2 percent of the 

number of declarations 

that would otherwise be 

filed under full 

implementation are 

exempt, the cost savings 

would be $7.2 million to 

$24 million (240,000 

declarations * $30 to 

$100 in broker’s fees).

Electronic entry system: 

March 2013: First 

Industry webinar 

introducing the new 

system. 

February 2013 to May 

2013: internal testing of 

system.

Summer 2013: initiate a 

beta test program, and 

plan to conduct additional 

webinars.

De minimis exemption: As 

rulemaking is required, 

the initiative could not be 

implemented before 

2014. The de minimis 

exemption would not 

likely be implemented if 

the phase-in 

implementation did not 

progress, as most plant 

products under the 

current implementation 

schedule are comprised of 

all or nearly all wood. 
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EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency Sub-Agency Title Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA FSA/FLP Streamlined Farm 

Loan Programs Direct 

Loan Making (OMB 

Control # 0560-0237)

FSA’s Farm Loan Programs provide loans to family 

farmers to buy real estate and equipment, and finance 

agricultural production. FSA is adding a streamlined 

version of a current form (proposed FSA-2314) that will 

be used by some respondents. Repeat customers 

(borrowers) whose information has not changed will be 

able to use the new form, which will be streamlined and 

require less information and therefore less burden. The 

burden hours have decreased due to lower number of 

responses by the current participants.

Eliminated 17,898 responses 

and 6,271 annual burden hours

$162,607 cost savings 

for the respondents and 

$647,728, federal cost 

savings for processing 

by the Federal 

Government employees

January 2013

USDA NRCS Conservation Delivery 

Streamlining Initiative 

(CDSI) – Client 

Gateway

Although NRCS’ Conservation Delivery Streamlining 

Initiative (CDSI) is not an effort focused on paperwork 

reduction, the new processes and technologies being 

implemented will result in some paperwork reduction for 

NRCS’ clientele. 

Most of the efficiency gains for clients will result from the 

Client Gateway, which will provide an online portal that 

will allow customers to: 

- work with NRCS 24/7 at their convenience, reducing or 

eliminating the needs for trips to the NRCS office; 

- view, finalize, and electronically sign documents using 

remote electronic signature, eliminating the generation, 

processing, and management of some paper documents; 

and 

When CDSI is fully implemented, 

NRCS estimates the Initiative 

has the potential to substantially 

reduce other (non-PRA) 

administrative time for clients 

when participating in NRCS’ 

conservation programs. While 

not within the scope of PRA, 

examples of such time savings 

include: 110,000 hours result 

from reduced travel time by 

clients to NRCS offices, or 

40,000 hours result from 

reduced time interpreting and 

applying the simplified and 

consolidated documents 

(conservation plan, practice 

designs, etc.) being 

Cost savings is not a 

primary objective of 

CDSI, so little or no 

initial cost savings will 

be realized. In the long 

term, there are 

information technology 

cost savings to NRCS 

associated with 

reducing: (1) the 

number of information 

technology legacy 

systems that must be 

maintained, (2) costs for 

data storage and 

management, and (3) 

costs of managing 

multiple duplicative 

The Client Gateway online portal is scheduled for 

nationwide 

implementation in 

calendar year 2014. The 

Client Gateway will 

provide benefits for both 

NRCS and its clients.

Other CDSI systems and 

streamlined processes 

that will enhance the 

paperwork reduction are

scheduled for 

implementation in 2015; 

and thereafter. 
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EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency Sub-Agency Title Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

- request assistance, describe problems, obtain resource 

information, and check on payments in less time and with 

fewer steps. 

Other paperwork reductions will result from NRCS’ 

implementation of mobile planning tools and other 

process streamlining.

implemented through CDSI.

Since the use of the Client 

Gateway is optional, there is an 

expectation that initial use will 

be small, with increasing 

participation each year 

thereafter. NRCS projects 

participation will be 10-20% in 

2015, and grow to 75-100% by 

2020. 

physical document 

management systems. 

The design and 

development contract 

cost for Client Gateway 

Version 1 is $1.34M. 

NRCS anticipates

significant lifecycle 

savings as usage by 

USDA’s external 

customers (farmers, 

etc.) increases and as 

USDA personnel are 

able to more quickly and 

efficiently process 

customer technical and 

financial assistance 

applications. 

The Client Gateway 

results in a cost-savings

for NRCS customers by 

reducing the number of 

trips customers must 

make to the NRCS office 

to participate in the 

Agency’s programs.