Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 70012 [2013-28020]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28020]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / 
Notices

[[Page 70012]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 18, 2013.
    The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information 
collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date 
of publication of this notice. 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), New 
Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive Office 
Building, 725--17th Street NW., Washington, DC, 20503. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov 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 by December 23, 2013. 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: 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: 31,825.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,923,227.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-28020 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P