Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection, 14436-14437 [E5-1246]

Download as PDF 14436 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 54 Tuesday, March 22, 2005 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, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. FV–04–302] United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes. USDA had received a request from several industry groups to add a new grade to the standards, U.S. No. 1 Petite. The change will allow the packing and shipping of smaller size sweet potatoes under the U.S. standards, thereby, improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry. DATES: Effective Date: April 21, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Priester, Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1661 South Building, STOP 0240, Washington, DC 20250–0240, Fax (202) 720–8871 or call (202) 720–2185; E-mail David.Priester@usda.gov. The final United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes, will be available either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS Home Page on the web at https://www.ams.usda.gov/ standards/vegfm.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘to develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage VerDate jul<14>2003 15:26 Mar 21, 2005 Jkt 205001 uniformity and consistency in commercial practices * * *.’’ AMS is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is revising the voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes using procedures that appear in Part 36 Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36). Background On December 10, 2003, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR 237) soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes. As a result, AMS received five comments from industry groups requesting the addition of a new grade entitled U.S. No. 1 Petite, with the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 grade currently in the standard, except for the size requirements. The request specified that the size requirements for the U.S. No. 1 Petite be: A minimum diameter of 11⁄2 inches, a maximum diameter of 21⁄4 inches, a minimum length of 3 inches and a maximum length of 7 inches. A second notice was published in the October 29, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 209) based on comments received on the first notice. AMS received seven comments from industry groups in response to the second notice. Six comments were in favor of the revision to the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by accessing AMS’s Home Page on the Internet at https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. One comment opposing the revision stated the new grade is of negative value to their members and will cause confusion. The commenter stated the new grade may result in a lower overall return to their growers as the size is similar to a medium size which is the cheapest grade they market. The marketing of sweet potatoes using any size within the U.S. standard is voluntary. AMS believes the addition of the new grade will not cause confusion PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and will aid those producers whom would like to market smaller size sweet potatoes using the U.S. standards. AMS received six comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor of the new grade stated it would aid in the marketing of smaller size sweet potatoes as the U.S. standards currently require sweet potatoes to be a larger size in order to meet a grade. The change will allow the packing and shipping of smaller size sweet potatoes under the U.S. standards. Based on comments received and information gathered, AMS believes the addition of the U.S. No. 1 Petite grade will facilitate the marketing of smaller size sweet potatoes and improve the standards usefulness in serving the industry. The official grade of a lot of sweet potatoes covered by these standards are determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61). Additionally, AMS is eliminating the unclassified category. This section is being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. The United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: March 16, 2005. Kenneth C. Clayton, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–5608 Filed 3–21–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 04–141–1] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 54 / Tuesday, March 22, 2005 / Notices SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for pork and poultry products from Mexico transiting the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 23, 2005. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: EDOCKET: Go to https://www.epa.gov/ feddocket to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on the ‘‘View Open APHIS Dockets’’ link to locate this document. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04–141–1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 04–141–1. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690–2817 before coming. Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information on the Internet at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/ webrepor.html. ADDRESSES: For information on regulations for pork and poultry products transiting the United States, contact Dr. Christopher Robinson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade Services Team, National Center for Import and Export, VS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734–7837. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734– 7477. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Pork and Poultry Products From Mexico Transiting the United States. VerDate jul<14>2003 15:26 Mar 21, 2005 Jkt 205001 OMB Number: 0579–0145. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among other things, regulating the importation into the United States of certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of serious pests and diseases of livestock into the United States. The regulations for the importation of animals and animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98. The regulations in 9 CFR 94.15 allow fresh (chilled or frozen) pork and pork products and poultry carcasses, parts, and products (except eggs and egg products) that are not eligible to enter into the United States to transit the United States from specified States in Mexico, via land ports, for export to another country. The regulations set out conditions for the transit movements that protect against the introduction of classical swine fever or exotic Newcastle disease into the United States. These conditions involve the use of several information collection activities, including the completion of an import permit application, the placement of serially numbered seals on product containers, and the forwarding of a prearrival notification to U.S. port personnel. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate 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; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14437 information is estimated to average 0.8 hours per response. Respondents: Exporters in Mexico and full-time, salaried veterinarians employed by Mexico’s Federal animal health protection service. Estimated annual number of respondents: 75. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10. Estimated annual number of responses: 750. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) 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. Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2005. Elizabeth E. Gaston, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E5–1246 Filed 3–21–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request—State Administrative Expense Funds Regulations Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of the information collection related to State administrative expense funds. DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be received by May 23, 2005. ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information collection to: Mr. Terry Hallberg, Chief, Program Analysis and Monitoring Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 636, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Comments will also be accepted via EMail submission if sent to CNDPROPOSAL@FNS.USDA.GOV. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14436-14437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1246]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 04-141-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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[[Page 14437]]

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with regulations for pork and poultry products 
from Mexico transiting the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
23, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    EDOCKET: Go to https://www.epa.gov/feddocket to submit or view 
public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the 
official public docket, and to access those documents in the public 
docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered 
EDOCKET, click on the ``View Open APHIS Dockets'' link to locate this 
document. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of 
your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-141-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. 04-141-1.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this 
docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of 
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to 
help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the 
Federal Register and related information on the Internet at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for 
pork and poultry products transiting the United States, contact Dr. 
Christopher Robinson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade 
Services Team, National Center for Import and Export, VS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-7837. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. 
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Pork and Poultry Products From Mexico Transiting the United 
States.
    OMB Number: 0579-0145.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among 
other things, regulating the importation into the United States of 
certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of 
serious pests and diseases of livestock into the United States.
    The regulations for the importation of animals and animal products 
are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98.
    The regulations in 9 CFR 94.15 allow fresh (chilled or frozen) pork 
and pork products and poultry carcasses, parts, and products (except 
eggs and egg products) that are not eligible to enter into the United 
States to transit the United States from specified States in Mexico, 
via land ports, for export to another country.
    The regulations set out conditions for the transit movements that 
protect against the introduction of classical swine fever or exotic 
Newcastle disease into the United States.
    These conditions involve the use of several information collection 
activities, including the completion of an import permit application, 
the placement of serially numbered seals on product containers, and the 
forwarding of a pre-arrival notification to U.S. port personnel.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Exporters in Mexico and full-time, salaried 
veterinarians employed by Mexico's Federal animal health protection 
service.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 75.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 750.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E5-1246 Filed 3-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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