Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Shell Egg Surveillance), Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection, 55642 [2011-22943]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 55642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22943]


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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2011 / 
Notices

[[Page 55642]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-PY-11-0064]


Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Shell Egg Surveillance), 
Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an 
extension of and revision to a currently approved information 
collection in support of the shell egg surveillance portion of the 
Regulation for the Inspection of Eggs--7 CFR part 57.

DATES: Comments received by November 7, 2011 will be considered.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or to David Bowden, Jr., 
Chief; Standards, Promotion & Technology Division; Poultry Programs, 
AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 0259; Washington, DC 20250-0259, fax (202) 720-2930. Comments 
should reference the document number (AMS-PY-11-0064) and the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments will be 
available for public inspection at the above address during regular 
business hours, or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments received will be posted without change, including any personal 
information provided.
    All responses to this document will be summarized and included in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Sara Lutton, Standards, 
Promotion, & Technology Division; Poultry Programs, AMS, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0259; 
Washington, DC 20250-0259; phone (202) 720-0976; fax (202) 720-2930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Egg Products 
Inspection Act).
    OMB Number: 0581-0113.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2012.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Congress enacted the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 1031-1056 (EPIA)) to provide, in part, a mandatory inspection 
program to control the disposition of dirty and checked shell eggs; to 
control unwholesome, adulterated, and inedible shell eggs that are 
unfit for human consumption; and to control the movement and 
disposition of imported shell eggs.
    The EPIA authorizes the Department to issue regulations, to assure 
that only eggs fit for human food are used for such purposes.
    Under the shell egg surveillance program, shell egg handlers are 
required to register with USDA. Quarterly, a State or Federal 
surveillance inspector visits each registered handler to verify that 
shell eggs packed for consumer use are in compliance, that restricted 
eggs are being disposed of properly, and that adequate records are 
being maintained.
    The information and recordkeeping requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of Congress, to administer the 
mandatory inspection program, and to take regulatory action, in 
accordance with the regulations and the EPIA. The forms within this 
collection package require the minimum information necessary to 
effectively carry out the requirements of the regulations, and their 
use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the EPIA.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives: AMS, Poultry Programs' national staff; regional 
directors and their staffs; Federal-State supervisors and their staffs; 
and resident Federal-State graders, which includes State agencies. The 
information is used to assure compliance with the EPIA and the 
regulations and to facilitate regulatory action. The Agency is the 
primary user of the information; secondary users include each 
authorized State agency that have a cooperative agreement with AMS.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.31 hours per response.
    Respondents: State or local governments, businesses or other for-
profit, Federal agencies or employees, small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 853.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,274.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.35.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1936.58.
    Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques on 
other forms of information technology.

    Dated: September 2, 2011.
David Shipman,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-22943 Filed 9-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P