[Federal Register: October 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 207)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61141-61146]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc03-18]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 61141]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 59
[Docket No. LS-01-08]
RIN 0581-AB98
Livestock Mandatory Reporting; Amendment To Revise Lamb Reporting
Definitions
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Livestock Mandatory
Reporting regulations to modify the requirements for the submission of
information on domestic and imported boxed lamb cuts sales. This rule
would amend the definition of ``carlot-based'' by inserting language to
limit carlot-based sales of boxed lamb cuts to transactions between a
buyer and a seller consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one or more
individual boxed lamb items. This rule would also amend the definition
of ``importer'' by reducing the volume level of annual lamb imports
establishing a person as an importer from 5,000 metric tons of lamb
meat products per year to 2,500 metric tons. This amendment would
improve the accuracy and reliability of the data being reported by the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on domestic boxed lamb cuts sales
by ensuring that the bulk of data being reported is representative of
the market, thus enabling producers to evaluate market conditions and
make more informed marketing decisions. This amendment would also
increase the volume of imported products that would be reported to AMS,
which will permit AMS to publish reports on the sales of imported boxed
lamb cuts.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 26, 2003 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Comments may be sent to John E. Van
Dyke, Chief, Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, Livestock and Seed
Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Room 2619-South Building, Stop 0252, Washington, DC 20250-
0242; telephone (202) 720-6231, facsimile (202) 690-3732, E-mail marketnewscomments@usda.gov. For further information, contact John E.
Van Dyke at the above address. Comments received may be inspected at
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2619-South Building, Washington, DC
between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The comments will also be posted on the
Livestock and Grain Market News Branch Web site, located at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs/
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In accordance with the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999
(Act) [7 U.S.C. 1635h-1636h], regulations implementing a mandatory
program of reporting information related to the marketing of cattle,
swine, lambs, and products of such livestock, were published in the
Federal Register on December 1, 2000 (65 FR 75464). This Livestock
Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program requires the submission of market
information by packers who have annually slaughtered an average of
125,000 cattle or 100,000 swine over the most recent 5 calendar year
period, or have annually slaughtered or processed an average of 75,000
lambs over the most recent 5 calendar year period. Importers who have
annually imported an average of 5,000 metric tons of lamb meat products
over the most recent 5 calendar year period are also subject to
mandatory reporting requirements. The LMR program is intended to
provide information on pricing, contracting for purchase, and supply
and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production, and
livestock products that can be readily understood by producers,
packers, and other market participants.
Section 241 of the Act gives the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
authority to establish a mandatory lamb price reporting program that
will, (1) provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
(2) facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and (3) promote
competition in the lamb slaughtering industry. AMS established
submission requirements for lamb packers and lamb importers in
accordance with this authority based upon its extensive knowledge of
the lamb industry gained through a program of voluntary market
information reporting of lamb.
Under the mandatory lamb price reporting program, packers are
required to report information daily on domestic sales of boxed lamb
cuts each reporting day including prices for sales, the type of sale,
the branded product characteristics, the quantity of each sale, the
USDA grade, trim specification, weight range, delivery period, the
quantity of boxes of each cut, the weight range of each cut, and the
product state of refrigeration. USDA reports on domestic boxed lamb cut
sales to the public once each reporting day.
For any calendar year, a lamb importer who imported an average of
5,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the immediately
preceding 5 calendar years is required to report to USDA weekly the
prices received for imported lamb cuts sold on the domestic market.
Additionally, an importer that did not import an average of 5,000
metric tons of lamb meat products during the immediately preceding 5
calendar years is also required to report the above information, if
USDA determines that the person should be considered an importer based
on their volume of lamb imports.
Because there are not enough daily sales of imported products to
meet the confidentiality guidelines and allow USDA to publish daily
reports, lamb importers are required to report weekly prices received
for sales of imported boxed lamb cuts sold on the domestic market
during the prior week including the quantity of each transaction, the
type of sale, the branded product characteristics, the product state of
refrigeration, the cut of lamb, the trim specification, the cut weight
range, and the product delivery period.
Boxed lamb is defined in the LMR regulations to mean those carlot-
based portions of a lamb carcass including fresh primals, subprimals,
cuts fabricated from subprimals, excluding portion-control cuts such as
chops and steaks similar to those portion cut items described in the
Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) for
[[Page 61142]]
Fresh Lamb and Mutton Series 200, and thin meats (e.g., inside and
outside skirts, pectoral meat, cap and wedge meat, and blade meat) not
older than 14 days from date of manufacture; fresh ground lamb, lamb
trimmings, and boneless processing lamb not older than 7 days from date
of manufacture; frozen primals, subprimals, cuts fabricated from
subprimals, and thin meats not older than 180 days from date of
manufacture; and frozen ground lamb, lamb trimmings, and boneless
processing lamb not older than 90 days from date of manufacture.
In the period since the implementation of the LMR program on April
2, 2001, the current collection of boxed lamb cuts market information
has prevented AMS from publishing meaningful market information on
sales of imported and domestic boxed lamb cuts. Because of this, the
current definitions of the terms ``carlot-based'' and ``importer''
under the LMR regulations need to be amended.
In the LMR regulations, the term ``carlot-based'' is defined as,
``any transaction between a buyer and a seller destined for three or
less delivery stops consisting of one or more individual boxed lamb
items or any combination of carcass weights.'' However, in practice,
the definition of carlot-based has resulted in having virtually all
sales of boxed lamb cuts reported, including distributive-based
transactions, as frequently packers of boxed lamb cuts do not know the
exact number of stops a truck will make at the time that the prices are
established and the sales are made.
Distributive-based sales are largely comprised of unique, value-
added products in which prices often reflect added customer services.
Because of the uniqueness of the distributive trade and the potential
affect that the inclusion of such information might have on the
aggregated reports AMS would publish, it was not intended to include
the information in the LMR program. Such information may create a
perception of wide price ranges in market reports for boxed lamb cuts
and could send misleading signals to producers and packers as to the
true direction of the market direction.
AMS has discussed and reviewed the issue of carlot-based and
distributive-based transactions with lamb industry packers and
processors. Based upon its review of this matter, including actual
reporting on a 1,000 pounds or more basis, AMS believes that the 1,000
pound threshold is a more accurate dividing line between carlot-based
sales and distributive-based sales and is consistent with the original
intent of the regulation.
In order to conform to the original intent of not including these
types of transactions, AMS proposes amending the boxed lamb cuts
portion of the definition of ``carlot-based'' (7 CFR 59.300) by
limiting reportable sales of boxed lamb cuts to those consisting of
1,000 pounds or more of one or more individual boxed lamb items. The
1,000 pound threshold is intended to separate out distributive-based
transactions. This proposal would amend the definition of ``carlot-
based'' to read, ``The term ``carlot-based'', when used in reference to
lamb carcass sales, means any transaction between a buyer and a seller
destined for three or less delivery stops consisting of any combination
of carcass weights, provided, however, that when used in reference to
boxed lamb cuts sales, the term ``carlot-based'' means any transaction
between a buyer and a seller consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one
or more individual boxed lamb items.''
AMS is proposing to establish the 1,000 pound threshold as the
level dividing the majority of carlot-based sales from distributive-
based sales. AMS believes that the 1,000 pound threshold would limit
the submission of information on boxed lamb cut sales to more
significant sales allowing AMS to publish more accurate and timely
information on the boxed lamb cuts market while reducing the submission
of information by covered lamb packers.
In the LMR regulations, the term ``importer'' (7 CFR 59.300) is
defined as, ``any person engaged in the business of importing lamb meat
products that takes ownership of such lamb meat products with the
intent to sell or ship in U.S. commerce. For any calendar year, the
term includes only those that imported an average of 5,000 metric tons
of lamb meat products per year during the immediately preceding 5
calendar years. Additionally, the term includes those that did not
import an average of 5,000 metric tons of lamb meat products during the
immediately preceding 5 calendar years, if USDA determines that the
person should be considered an importer based on their volume of lamb
imports.''
Because imported products comprise over one-third of the U.S.
market (based on U.S. Census Bureau data, 66,882 metric tons in 2002)
and can affect prices for domestic lamb, lamb importers were included
for more complete information on lamb meat products being imported into
the U.S., including the types, quantities, and prices of these
products.
In the comment period prior to the publication of the final rule
for the LMR program, AMS received five comments expressing concern that
the lamb import threshold of 5,000 metric tons and the domestic lamb
packer threshold of an average 75,000 head per year for each of the
preceding 5 years were not comparable. These commenters believed that
the threshold for lamb importers was set too high in relation to the
domestic packer threshold and should be lowered to ensure adequate
coverage of the imported lamb market. At that time, AMS expressed
concern that lowering the threshold would increase the number of
smaller importers that would be required to report. AMS believed that
the products imported by many of these operations were so unique that
AMS would be unable to report them without disclosing proprietary
information. AMS expected that the 5,000 metric ton lamb importer
threshold would cover a comparable percentage of the lamb imports as
slaughter and processing are being covered by the cattle, swine and
lamb packer definitions, or approximately 80% of lamb imported into the
U.S.
During the period since the implementation of the LMR program on
April 2, 2001, AMS has determined that the 5,000 metric ton provision
limits the number of covered importers to a level below that which is
necessary to ensure confidentiality of published information. As a
result, AMS has been unable to publish market information on sales of
imported boxed lamb cuts.
When AMS formulated its initial estimates on the number of
importers that would be required to report under LMR, it was
anticipated that six companies would meet the 5,000 metric ton
threshold. However, after implementation of the LMR program, it was
determined that the 5,000 metric ton threshold did not cover a
sufficient number of lamb importers necessary to publish market
information on imported lamb in accordance with the confidentiality
provisions of the Act. After analyzing U.S. Customs Service data for
total lamb imported for each of the 5 years between 1998 and 2002, AMS
believes that the proposed 2,500 metric ton threshold would cover eight
lamb importers which would allow AMS to collect and publish market
reports on the imported boxed lamb cuts market in accordance with the
confidentiality provisions of the Act.
AMS proposes amending the definition of ``importer'' to lower the
existing 5,000 metric ton provision to 2,500 metric tons. This proposal
would amend the definition of ``importer'' to read, ``The term
`importer' means any
[[Page 61143]]
person engaged in the business of importing lamb meat products who
takes ownership of such lamb meat products with the intent to sell or
ship in U.S. commerce. For any calendar year, the term includes only
those that imported an average of 2,500 metric tons of lamb meat
products per year during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years.
Additionally, the term includes those that did not import an average of
2,500 metric tons of lamb meat products during the immediately
preceding 5 calendar years, if USDA determines that the person should
be considered an importer based on their volume of lamb imports.
The establishment of the 2,500 metric tons provision would be more
consistent with the 75,000 head provision defining a lamb packer for
purposes of livestock mandatory reporting. The 2,500 metric ton
provision is equal to approximately 5.5 million pounds of lamb meat
product (2,500 x 2204.6 = 5,511,500 pounds). The 75,000 head provision
is equal to approximately 5.3 million pounds of lamb meat product based
upon an average lamb carcass weight of 71 pounds (National Agricultural
Statistics Service data for 2001) (75,000 x 71 = 5,325,000 pounds).
AMS welcomes written comments on the proposed changes. All comments
will become a matter of public record.
Executive Orders 12866 and 12988
Although not economically significant, this proposed rule has been
determined to be significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and,
therefore, has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). Regulations must be designed in the most cost-effective manner
possible to obtain the regulatory objective while imposing the least
burden on society. AMS has prepared a Regulatory Impact Assessment
(RIA) consisting of a statement of the need for the proposed action, an
examination of alternative approaches, and an analysis of the benefits
and costs.
Need for Proposed Action. As stated in the background section, the
current definition of carlot-based in the LMR regulations has resulted
in requiring nearly all sales of boxed lamb cuts to be reported,
including distributive-based transactions. It was not the Agency's
intent to include this type of information in the LMR program as it may
have created a perception of wide price ranges in market reports for
boxed lamb cuts and could send misleading signals to producers and
packers as to the true direction of the market.
AMS believes that amending the boxed lamb cuts portion of the
definition of ``carlot-based'' by limiting reportable sales of boxed
lamb cuts to those consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one or more
individual boxed lamb items would limit the submission of information
on boxed lamb cut sales to significant sales, thus allowing AMS to
publish more accurate and reliable market information and reduce the
submission of information by covered lamb packers.
The current definition of ``importer'' in the LMR regulations has
also resulted in difficulties in reporting market information on sales
of imported boxed lamb cuts. For any calendar year, the term
``importer'' includes only those that import an average of 5,000 metric
tons of lamb meat products during the immediately preceding 5 calendar
years. AMS expected that the 5,000 metric ton threshold would cover a
comparable percentage of lamb imports as slaughter and processing are
being covered by the cattle, swine, and lamb packer definitions, or
approximately 80% of lamb imported into the U.S. However, this has not
been the case. When this program was initially implemented, only two
importers would have been covered under the LMR program which hindered
AMS'' ability to collect and publish market information on imported
boxed lamb cuts.
AMS believes that amending the definition of importer to lower the
existing 5,000 metric ton threshold to 2,500 metric tons would now
cover eight lamb importers and would allow AMS to collect and publish
market reports on the imported boxed lamb cuts market.
Alternatives. Various methods were considered by which the
objectives of the rule could be accomplished. The Agency looked at
other ways of defining carlot-based such that distributive-sales would
not be covered, including using 500 pounds as the threshold. However,
after discussions with lamb industry packers and processors, AMS
believes that a 500 pound threshold could result in the inclusion of
products for which prices could be established on factors other than
the market value and that a 1,000 pound threshold would be a more
accurate dividing line between carlot-based sales and distributive-
based sales.
The Agency also looked at other ways of defining the term importer.
AMS received several comments in the comment period prior to the
publication of the final LMR regulations which supported a threshold of
2,500 metric tons in defining an importer. At that time, AMS believed
that this level would preclude AMS from reporting a significant number
of transactions due to confidentiality guidelines. However, AMS now
believes that lowering the threshold to 2,500 metric tons would cover
eight importers which is a sufficient number of importers to allow AMS
to publish market information without disclosing proprietary
information.
Summary of Benefits. This proposal would allow AMS to collect and
publish market reports on the imported boxed lamb cuts market. As
imports account for over one-third of the U.S. market and can greatly
impact the prices for domestic lamb, implementation of this rule would
enable participants to better evaluate market conditions and make more
informed marketing decisions, thus improving the reporting services of
AMS.
Summary of Costs. In the final LMR regulations (65 FR 75464), AMS
prepared a complete cost analysis of the LMR program. This amendment is
not anticipated to substantially change these prior estimates. AMS
estimates that the total annual burden on each small lamb importer
would remain at $2,070, including $87 for annual costs associated with
electronically submitting data, $150 for annual share of initial
startup costs of $750, and $1,830 for the storage and maintenance of
electronic files that were submitted to AMS. AMS estimates that the
total annual burden on each small lamb packer would remain at $7,860,
including $5,875 for annual costs associated with electronically
submitting data, $150 for annual share of initial startup costs of
$750, and $1,830 for the storage and maintenance of electronic files
that were submitted to AMS. The estimate of the number of importers
that would be required to report would increase from six to eight.
This proposal has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform, and is not intended to have retroactive effect. States
and political divisions of States are specifically preempted by Sec.
259 of the Act from imposing requirements in addition to, or
inconsistent with, any requirements of the Act with respect to the
submission or publication of information on the prices and quantities
of livestock or livestock products. Further, the Act does not restrict
or modify the authority of the USDA to administer or enforce the
Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.]; administer,
enforce, or collect voluntary reports under the Act or any other laws;
or access documentary evidence as provided under sections 9 and 10 of
the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 49, 50]. There are no
[[Page 61144]]
administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior to any judicial
challenge to the provisions of this rule.
Civil Rights Review
In promulgating the final LMR regulations (65 FR 75464), AMS
considered the potential civil rights implications on minorities,
women, or persons with disabilities and prepared a Civil Rights Impact
Analysis to ensure that no person or group shall be discriminated
against on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion,
age, disability, or marital or family status.
The proposed amendments to the LMR regulations do not alter any of
the findings of the Civil Rights Impact Analysis on the LMR
regulations.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed rule has been reviewed under the requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) [5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.]. The purpose of
the RFA is to consider the economic impact of a rule on small business
entities. Alternatives, which would accomplish the objectives of the
rule without unduly burdening small entities or erecting barriers that
would restrict their ability to compete in the marketplace have been
evaluated. Regulatory action should be appropriate to the scale of the
businesses subject to the action. The collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of AMS concerning
the mandatory reporting of livestock information. The Act (7 U.S.C.
1635-1636) requires AMS to collect and publish livestock market
information. The required information is only available directly from
those entities required to report under the Act and by the LMR
regulations and exists nowhere else. Therefore, the LMR regulations do
not duplicate market information reasonably accessible to the Agency.
In formulating this proposed rule, particular consideration was
given to reducing the burden on entities while still achieving the
objectives of the LMR regulations. Accordingly, proposed thresholds
were set which would redefine those sales transactions considered to be
``carlot-based'' and therefore required to be reported under the LMR
program, and those entities which would be required to report
information on sales of imported boxed lamb cuts including applicable
branded product.
The proposal would require packers to report information on carlot-
based sales transactions of boxed lamb cuts consisting of 1,000 pounds
or more of one or more individual boxed lamb items. The definition of
``carlot-based'' would be amended to read, ``The term ``carlot-based'',
when used in reference to lamb carcass sales, means any transaction
between a buyer and a seller destined for three or less delivery stops
consisting of any combination of carcass weights. When used in
reference to boxed lamb cuts sales, the term ``carlot-based'' means any
transaction between a buyer and a seller consisting of 1,000 pounds or
more of one or more individual boxed lamb items.''
Additionally, the proposal would also require importers that
imported an average of 2,500 metric tons of lamb meat products per year
to report information on sales transactions of boxed lamb cuts. The
definition of ``importer'' would be amended to read, ``For any calendar
year, lamb importers that imported an average of 2,500 metric tons of
lamb meat products per year during the immediately preceding 5 calendar
years would be required to report. Additionally, lamb importers that
did not import an average of 2,500 metric tons of lamb meat products
during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years if the USDA
determines that the person should be considered an importer based on
the volume of lamb imports are required to report.''
Implementation of the proposed amendment redefining the term
``carlot-based'' would not change the number of entities required to
submit information on sales of boxed lamb cuts under the LMR
regulations.
Implementation of the proposed amendment redefining the term
``importer'' would slightly increase the original estimate of the
number of lamb importers required to submit information on sales of
imported boxed lamb cuts under the LMR regulations. After analyzing the
U.S. Customs Service data for total lamb imported into the U.S. by
importer for each of the 5 years between 1998 and 2002, AMS believes
that the 2,500 metric ton threshold would now cover eight importers of
lamb into the U.S. (one importer is also a packer).
Accordingly, we also have prepared a regulatory flexibility
analysis. The RFA compares the size of meat packing plants to the
Standard Industrial Code (SIC) established by the Small Business
Administration (SBA) [13 CFR 121.201] to determine the percentage of
small businesses within the meat packing industry and the wholesale
meat products trade, including importers. Under these size standards,
meat packing companies with 500 or less employees are considered small
business entities (SIC 2011) and lamb importers with 100 or less
employees are considered small business entities (SIC 5147).
The objective of this proposed rule is to improve the price and
supply reporting services of USDA. AMS believes that this objective can
be accomplished by amending the definitions of the terms ``carlot-
based'' and ``importer'' in the LMR regulations.
The LMR regulations provide for the mandatory reporting of market
information by livestock packers who for any calendar year have
slaughtered a certain number of livestock during the immediately
preceding 5 calendar years. Lamb plants required to report include
those that for any calendar year slaughter or process the equivalent of
75,000 head per year during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years.
Additionally, for any calendar year lamb importers that imported an
average of 5,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per calendar year
during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years are also required to
report details of their purchases. Additionally, lamb packers and lamb
meat processors and importers that did not slaughter or process the
equivalent of 75,000 head per year or import 5,000 metric tons of lamb
meat products per year during the immediately preceding 5 calendar
years are required to report if the USDA determines that they should be
considered an importer based on their volume of lamb imports. This
proposed rule would amend the LMR regulations to redefine those
entities considered as importers by changing the 5,000 metric ton
provision to 2,500 metric tons.
These packers and importers are required to report the details of
all transactions involving domestic sales of boxed lamb cuts including
applicable branded product, and imported boxed lamb cuts including
applicable branded product to AMS. Lamb information is reported to AMS
according to the schedule mandated by the LMR regulations with sales of
boxed lamb cuts reported once each day. Previous week sales of imported
boxed lamb cuts including applicable branded boxed lamb cuts are
reported once weekly on the first reporting day of the week.
For any calendar year, lamb packers required to report include
those that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of 75,000 head per
year during each of the immediately preceding 5 calendar years. Also
included are processing plants that did not slaughter or process an
average of 75,000 lambs during the immediately preceding 5 calendar
years but are determined to be a packer by USDA based on the capacity
of the processing plant. For any calendar year, an importer that
imported an average of
[[Page 61145]]
2,500 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the immediately
preceding 5 calendar years would be required to report under this
proposed rule. Additionally, a lamb importer that did not import an
average of 2,500 metric tons of lamb meat products during the
immediately preceding 5 calendar years would also be required to report
under this proposed rule if USDA determines that the person should be
considered an importer based on the volume of lamb imports. Under this
proposal, 20 individual plants including importers would be required to
report information on boxed lamb sales. Based on the criteria
established by the SBA to classify small businesses (SIC 2011 and
5147), all 20 of these lamb plants and importers would be considered
small businesses with no lamb packer employing more than 500 people and
no lamb importer employing more than 100 people. The figure of 20 lamb
packer and importer plants required to report represents approximately
3.0% of the lamb plants and importers in the U.S. Nearly all of the
remaining approximately 97.0% of lamb plants and importers would be
considered small businesses and would be exempt from mandatory
reporting.
The LMR regulations require the reporting of specific market
information regarding the buying and selling of livestock and livestock
products. The information is reported to AMS by electronic means and
the adoption of the proposed rule would not affect this requirement.
Electronic reporting involves the transfer of data from a packer's or
importer's electronic recordkeeping system to a centrally located AMS
electronic database. The packer or importer is required to organize the
information in an AMS-approved format before electronically
transmitting the information to AMS.
Once the required information has been entered into the AMS
database, it is aggregated and processed into various market reports
which are released according to the daily and weekly time schedule set
forth in the LMR regulations. As an alternative, AMS also developed and
made available web-based input forms for submitting data online as AMS
found that some of the smaller entities covered under mandatory price
reporting would benefit from such a web-based submission system.
In the LMR regulations, AMS estimated the total annual burden on
each small lamb packer to be $7,860 including $5,875 for annual costs
associated with electronically submitting data, $150.00 for annual
share of initial startup costs of $750, and $1,830 for the storage and
maintenance of electronic files that were submitted to AMS. AMS
estimated the total annual burden on each small importer of lamb to be
$2,070 including $87 for annual costs associated with electronically
submitting data, $150.00 for annual share of initial startup costs of
$750, and $1,830 for the storage and maintenance of electronic files
that were submitted to AMS.
This proposed rule does not substantially change these prior
estimates. While adjusting the 5,000 metric ton provision that
establishes those lamb importers covered under the LMR regulations to
2,500 metric tons increases the number of lamb importers required to
report to eight, the estimated annual cost burden per importer of
$2,070 remains the same. Amending the definition for the term ``carlot-
based'' by limiting covered sales of boxed lamb cuts to those
consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one or more individual boxed lamb
items would be expected to lessen the number of covered sales
transactions that are submitted to AMS. However, AMS's submission
burden estimates were based on lamb packers and importers using
electronic reporting methods to automatically compile and submit
required information. AMS believes the burden savings resulting from
electronically compiling and submitting a reduced number of sales
transactions to be negligible considering that the speed of electronic
systems is measured in milliseconds.
Each packer and importer required to report information to USDA
must maintain such records as are necessary to verify the accuracy of
the information provided to AMS. This includes information regarding
price, class, head count, weight, quality grade, yield grade, and other
factors necessary to adequately describe each transaction. These
records are already kept by the industry. Reporting packers and
importers are required by the LMR regulations to maintain and to make
available the original contracts, agreements, receipts, and other
records associated with any transaction relating to the purchase, sale,
pricing, transportation, delivery, weighing, slaughter, or carcass
characteristics of all livestock. Reporting packers and importers are
also required to maintain copies of the information provided to AMS.
All of the above-mentioned paperwork must be kept for at least 2 years.
Packers and importers are not required to report any other new or
additional information that they do not generally have available or
maintain. Further, they are not required to keep any information that
would prove unduly burdensome to maintain. The paperwork burden that is
imposed on the packers and importers is further discussed in the
section entitled Paperwork Reduction Act that follows.
In addition, AMS has not identified any relevant Federal rules that
are currently in effect that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this
proposed rule.
Professional skills required for recordkeeping under the LMR
regulations are not different than those already employed by the
reporting entities. Reporting is accomplished using computers or
similar electronic means. This proposed rule does not affect the
professional skills required for recordkeeping.
The LMR regulations require lamb slaughter and processing plants
and lamb importers of a certain size to report information to the USDA
at prescribed times throughout the day and week. The LMR regulations
already exempt many small businesses by the establishment of daily
slaughter, processing, and import capacity thresholds. Based on figures
published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were
538 lamb federally inspected slaughter plants operating in the U.S. at
the end of 2001. The LMR regulations require 20 lamb packers and
importers to report information (approximately 2% of all federally
inspected lamb plants and approximately 1% of all lamb importers).
Therefore, approximately 98% of all lamb packers and approximately 99%
of lamb importers are not required to report. As discussed earlier,
this proposed rule does not change this requirement.
With regard to alternatives, if the definitions of importer and
carlot-based are not changed, AMS would continue to be hindered in
reporting more accurate and reliable information on sales of imported
and domestic boxed lamb cuts.
AMS will continue to work actively with those small businesses
required to report to minimize the burden on them to the maximum extent
practicable.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with OMB regulation (5 CFR Part 1320) that implements
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information
collection has been previously approved by OMB and assigned OMB control
number 0581-0186. A revised information collection package has been
submitted to OMB for approval of a 15 hour increase in total burden
hours.
The purpose of this proposed rule is to amend the LMR regulations
(65 FR 75464) to modify the requirement for
[[Page 61146]]
the submission of information on domestic and imported boxed lamb cuts
sales. All other provisions of the LMR regulations will remain the
same. Adjusting the 5,000 metric ton provision that establishes those
lamb importers covered under the LMR regulations to 2,500 metric tons
increases the estimated number of lamb importers required to report
from six to eight. This change will not substantially impact the
overall total burden hours. The estimated annual cost burden per
importer of $2,070 remains the same. Amending the definition for the
term ``carlot-based'' by limiting covered sales of boxed lamb cuts to
those consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one or more individual
boxed lamb items would be expected to lessen the number of covered
sales transactions required to be submitted to AMS. However, AMS's
submission burden estimates were based on lamb packers and importers
using electronic reporting methods to automatically compile and submit
required information. AMS believes the burden savings resulting from
electronically compiling and submitting a reduced number of sales
transactions to be negligible considering that the speed of electronic
systems is measured in milliseconds.
AMS is committed to implementation of the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act which provides for the use of information resources to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental operations,
including providing the public with the option of submitting
information or transacting business electronically to the extent
practicable.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 59
Lamb, Livestock, Reporting, Importer.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Chapter I, of Title 7 of
the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 59--LIVESTOCK MANDATORY REPORTING
1. The authority citation for part 59 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et. seq.
Subpart D--Lamb Reporting
Sec. 59.300 [Amended]
2. The definition of the term Carlot-based is revised to read as
follows:
The term Carlot-based when used in reference to lamb carcass sales
means any transaction between a buyer and a seller destined for three
or more delivery stops consisting of any combination of carcass
weights. When used in reference to boxed lamb cuts sales, the term
Carlot-based means any transaction between a buyer and a seller
consisting of 1,000 pounds or more of one or more individual boxed lamb
items.
3. In the definition of the term Importer, the number ``5,000'' is
revised to read ``2,500'' each time it appears.
Dated: October 21, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27015 Filed 10-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P