[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 54586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22366]
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Notices
Federal Register
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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,
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 8, 2010 /
Notices
[[Page 54586]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
September 2, 2010.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO,
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0186.
Summary of Collection: The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of
1999 (Pub. L. 106-78; 7 U.S.C. 1635-1636h) mandates the reporting of
information on prices and quantities of livestock and livestock
products. Under this program, certain livestock packers, livestock
product processors and importers meeting certain criteria, including
size as measured by annual slaughter are required to report market
information to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
AMS. USDA's market news provides all market participants, including
producers, with the information necessary to make intelligent and
informed marketing decisions.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected and
recordkeeping requirements will serve as the basis for livestock and
livestock product market news reports utilized by the industry for
marketing purposes. The reports are used by other Government agencies
to evaluate market conditions and calculate price levels. Economists at
major agricultural colleges and universities use the reports to make
short and long-term market projections. The information is reported up
to three times daily and once weekly and is only available directly
from those entities required to report under the Act.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 113.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Weekly; Other (Daily).
Total Burden Hours: 21,512.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: National Organic Program.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0191.
Summary of Collection: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of
1990, Title XXI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of
1990 (Farm Bill), U.S.C. Title 7 Section 6503(a) mandates that the
Secretary of Agriculture develop a national organic program. The
purposes of the regulation mandated by OFPA are: (1) To establish
national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural
products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that
organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) to
facilitate interstate commerce in fresh and processed food that is
organically produced. The National Organic Program (NOP) regulation
fulfills the requirements of the OFPA. It includes comprehensive
production and handling standards, labeling provisions, requirements
for the certification of producers and handlers, accreditation of
certifying agents by USDA and an administrative subpart for fees, State
Programs, National List, appeals, compliance and pesticide residue
testing. Agricultural Marketing Service will approve programs for State
governments wishing to establish State Organic Programs.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used
to evaluate compliance with OFPA and NOP for administering the program,
for management decisions and planning, for establishing the cost of the
program and to support administrative and regulatory actions in
response to non-compliance with OFPA. Certifying agents will have to
submit an application to USDA to become accredited to certify organic
production and handling operations. Auditors will review the
application, perform site evaluation and submit reports to USDA, who
will make a decision to grant or deny accreditation. Producers,
handlers and certifying agents whose operations are not approved have
the right to mediation and appeal the decision. Reporting and
recordkeeping are essential to the integrity of the organic
certification system.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 32,600.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
Total Burden Hours: 1,325,736.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-22366 Filed 9-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P