Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs, 22997-22999 [2023-07857]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 72 / Friday, April 14, 2023 / Notices
that could affect or would be of interest
to our constituents and stakeholders.
The Constituent Update is available on
the FSIS web page. Through the web
page, FSIS can provide information to a
much broader, more diverse audience.
In addition, FSIS offers an email
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves and have the
option to password protect their
accounts.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means of communication for
program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TTY) or contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at https://
www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-aprogram-discrimination-complaint and
at any USDA office or write a letter
addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all of the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632–9992.
Submit your completed form or letter
to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:45 Apr 13, 2023
Jkt 259001
DC 20250–9410; (2) fax: (202) 690–7442;
or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023–07854 Filed 4–13–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS–2023–0008]
Notice of Request To Revise an
Approved Information Collection: State
Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing
its intention to request revision of the
approved information collection
regarding State Meat and Poultry
Inspection Programs. FSIS is adding 164
burden hours to the collection due to
the addition of new states. The approval
for this information collection will
expire on July 31, 2023.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
June 13, 2023.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested
persons to submit comments on this
Federal Register notice. Comments may
be submitted by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This
website provides commenters the ability
to type short comments directly into the
comment field on the web page or to
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go
to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety
and Inspection Service, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop
3758, Washington, DC 20250–3700.
• Hand- or courier-delivered
submittals: Deliver to 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L.
Whitten Building, Room 350–E,
Washington, DC 20250–3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by
mail or electronic mail must include the
Agency name and docket number FSIS–
2023–0008. Comments received in
response to this docket will be made
available for public inspection and
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
22997
posted without change, including any
personal information, to https://
www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to background
documents or comments received, call
(202) 937–4272 to schedule a time to
visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina
Kouba, Office of Policy and Program
Development, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop
3758, South Building, Washington, DC
20250–3700; (202) 937–4272.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: State Meat and Poultry
Inspection Programs.
OMB Number: 0583–0170.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31,
2023.
Type of Request: Renewal of an
approved information collection.
Abstract: The Federal Meat Inspection
Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (PPIA) provide for FSIS
to cooperate with State agencies in
developing and administering their own
meat or poultry inspection (MPI)
programs (21 U.S.C. 661 and 454). The
FMIA and the PPIA restrict each
cooperative State MPI program to the
inspection and regulation of products
that are produced and sold within the
State (21 U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and 454(a)(1)).
Under section 661 of the FMIA and
section 454 of the PPIA, cooperative
State MPI programs are required to
operate in a manner and with
authorities ‘‘at least equal to’’ the
provisions set out in the FMIA and PPIA
(21 U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and 454(a)(1)).
FSIS is announcing its intention to
request revision of the approved
information collection regarding State
MPI programs. FSIS collects information
from State MPI programs to ensure that
their programs operate in a manner that
is at least equal to FSIS’ Federal
inspection program in the protection of
public interest; comply with
requirements of Federal civil rights laws
and regulations; meet necessary
laboratory quality assurance standards
and testing frequencies; and have the
capability to perform microbiology and
food chemistry methods that are ‘‘at
least equal to’’ methods performed in
the FSIS laboratories. FSIS is adding
164 burden hours to the collection due
to the addition of new states. The
approval for this information collection
will expire on July 31, 2023.
Twenty-nine states have MPI
programs that operate under a
cooperative agreement with FSIS and
are subject to the comprehensive review
E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM
14APN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
22998
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 72 / Friday, April 14, 2023 / Notices
process. Comprehensive reviews of
State MPI programs are conducted by an
interdisciplinary team of FSIS Auditors
from the Office of Investigation,
Enforcement and Audit (OIEA), the
Financial Management Division (FMD),
the Civil Rights Staff (CRS), and the
Laboratory Quality Assurance,
Response, and Coordination Staff
(LQARCS).
There are nine review components
that make up the comprehensive review
process. The components are as follows:
Component 1—Statutory Authority and
Food Safety Regulations; Component
2—Inspection; Component 3—Sampling
Programs; Component 4—Staffing,
Training, and Supervision; Component
5—Humane Handling; Component 6—
Compliance; Component 7—Laboratory
Quality Assurance Program and
Methods; Component 8—Civil Rights;
and Component 9—Financial
Accountability.
For each of the first six components,
State MPI programs submit annual selfassessment documentation to FSIS to
demonstrate that the State MPI program
is meeting the ‘‘at least equal to’’
Federal inspection requirements. Each
component of the annual selfassessment includes a written narrative
statement and documentation
demonstrating that the program
continuously meets the criteria to be ‘‘at
least equal to’’ the Federal inspection
program. State MPI programs also
submit sufficient documentation to
demonstrate that the program either
follows current FSIS statutes,
regulations, applicable directives and
notices, and has implemented any
changes necessary to maintain the ‘‘at
least equal to’’ status or that the State
MPI program has an effective, analogous
program that would also be ‘‘at least
equal to’’ the Federal inspection
program. All State MPI programs need
to demonstrate they operate in a manner
that protects the health and welfare of
consumers by ensuring that the meat
and poultry products distributed by the
establishments in the program are
wholesome, not adulterated, and
properly marked, labeled, and packaged.
The annual self-assessment
submission also includes one or more
narratives describing the internal
controls used by the State MPI program
that: (1) Provide assurances and can
measure the effectiveness of the
program under the ‘‘at least equal to’’
criteria; (2) demonstrate how nonconformances will be addressed by
corrective actions; and (3) demonstrate
how the State MPI program will be
maintained throughout the next 12
months.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:45 Apr 13, 2023
Jkt 259001
For Component 7 of the
comprehensive State review process,
states submit documentation of their
laboratory quality assurance programs
and methods. States document their
laboratory quality assurance program
activities on the FSIS Form 5720–14,
State Meat and Poultry Inspection
Program Laboratory Quality
Management System Checklist. States
submit copies of new or revised
laboratory analytical methods
accompanied by a FSIS Form 5720–15,
Laboratory Method Notification Form.
For Component 8 of the
comprehensive review process, states
submit documentation of their Civil
Rights compliance. States receive FSIS
monies to operate their MPI programs,
and as such, are subject to the
nondiscrimination provisions of Title
VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975. To assess
the 29 states’ compliance with these
provisions, FSIS requests information
on the states’ civil rights programs and
controls on FSIS Form 1520.1, Civil
Rights Compliance of State Inspection
Programs. This form requests
information regarding nine areas of civil
rights compliance, which include: (1)
Civil Rights Assurances; (2) State
Infrastructure and Program
Accountability; (3) Public Notification;
(4) Racial and Ethnic Data Collection;
(5) Civil Rights Complaints of
Discrimination; (6) Civil Rights
Training; (7) Disability Compliance; (8)
Limited English Proficiency; and (9)
Compliance with the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975. The form
allows states to: (1) Document
management controls they have
implemented and maintained with
regard to these nine categories; and (2)
document how their overall civil rights
program constitutes a civil rights
program ‘‘at least equal to’’ the FSIS
Federal program.
FSIS requests documentation
concerning all components of the selfassessment and completion of these
forms annually. Submission of the
completed forms is due by November 1
each year to the Coordinators from
OIEA, FMD, CRS, and LQARCS. In each
submission, states respond to all
questions and report on programs and
activities implemented and maintained
during the prior fiscal year (October 1
through September 30).
In addition to the annual selfassessment submission, State MPI
programs are subject to an on-site
review at a minimum frequency of once
every three years to verify the accuracy
and implementation of the selfassessment submissions. In the year that
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
a State MPI program is scheduled for an
on-site review, FSIS closely examines
records from the State MPI program to
determine annually whether the
program is ‘‘at least equal to’’ the
Federal inspection program.
FSIS has made the following
estimates for the revised information
collection.
Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates
that it will take each respondent an
average of 243.137 hours to complete
the forms and narratives.
Respondents: State MPI Directors,
Program Managers, and/or Human
Resources Officials.
Estimated No. of Respondents: 29
respondents.
Estimated No. of Annual Responses
per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 7,051 hours.
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.
Copies of this information collection
assessment can be obtained from Gina
Kouba, Office of Policy and Program
Development, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop
3758, South Building, Washington, DC
20250–3700; (202) 937–4272.
Comments are invited on: (a) whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of FSIS’ functions, including whether
the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’ estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information, including the validity of
the method and assumptions 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,
including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques, or other forms of
information technology. Comments may
be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses
provided above, and the Desk Officer for
Agriculture, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget (OMB),
Washington, DC 20253.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of
rulemaking and policy development is
important. Consequently, FSIS will
announce this Federal Register
publication on-line through the FSIS
web page located at: https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
FSIS will also announce and provide
a link to this Federal Register
E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM
14APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 72 / Friday, April 14, 2023 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
publication through the FSIS
Constituent Update, which is used to
provide information regarding FSIS
policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public
meetings, and other types of information
that could affect or would be of interest
to our constituents and stakeholders.
The Constituent Update is available on
the FSIS web page. Through the web
page, FSIS can provide information to a
much broader, more diverse audience.
In addition, FSIS offers an email
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves and have the
option to password protect their
accounts.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices,
employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA
programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression),
sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity,
in any program or activity conducted or
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to
all programs). Remedies and complaint
filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Program information may be made
available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of
communication to obtain program
information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language)
should contact the responsible Mission
Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA
TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600
(voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877–8339.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD–3027, USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, which can be obtained online at
https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/
ad-3027, from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632–9992, or by writing a
letter addressed to USDA. The letter
must contain the complainant’s name,
address, telephone number, and a
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:45 Apr 13, 2023
Jkt 259001
written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail
to inform the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature
and date of an alleged civil rights
violation. The completed AD–3027 form
or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410;
(2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–
7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023–07857 Filed 4–13–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Ashley National Forest; Utah and
Wyoming; Revision of the Land
Management Plan for the Ashley
National Forest
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice of opportunity to object
to the revised Land Management Plan
and the Regional Forester’s list of
species of conservation concern for the
Ashley National Forest.
AGENCY:
The Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, is revising
the Ashley National Forest’s Land
Management Plan (Plan). The Forest
Service has prepared a Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
for its revised Plan and a draft Record
of Decision (ROD). This notice is to
inform the public that the Ashley
National Forest is initiating a 60-day
period where individuals or entities
with specific concerns about the Ashley
National Forest’s revised Plan and the
associated FEIS may file objections for
Forest Service review prior to the
approval of the revised Plan. This is also
an opportunity to object to the Regional
Forester’s list of species of conservation
concern for the Ashley National Forest.
DATES: The publication date of the legal
notice in the Ashley National Forest’s
newspaper of record, the Vernal Express
(Vernal, Utah), initiates the 60-day
objection period and is the exclusive
means for calculating the time to file an
objection (36 CFR 219.52(c)(5)). An
electronic scan of the legal notice with
the publication date will be posted at
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
22999
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ashley/
landmanagement/planning.
ADDRESSES: The Ashley National
Forest’s revised Plan, FEIS, draft ROD,
and Regional Forester’s list of species of
conservation concern and other
supporting information will be available
for review at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
main/ashley/landmanagement/planning
or at the following office: Ashley
National Forest, 355 North Vernal Ave.,
Vernal, UT 84078, phone: (435) 781–
5118.
Objections must be submitted to the
Objection Reviewing Officer by one of
the following methods:
• Electronically to the Objection
Reviewing Officer: Electronic comments
are preferred and may be submitted
through the project web page at https://
www.fs.usda.gov/project/
?project=49606; click ‘‘Comment/Object
on Project.’’ Electronic submissions
(including all attachments) must be
submitted in one of the following
formats: MS Word (*.docx), Rich Text
Format (*.rtf), or Adobe PDF (*.pdf) and
must be readable and searchable with
optical character recognition software.
An automated response will confirm
your electronic objection has been
received.
• Via regular mail, carrier, or hand
delivery to the following address: USDA
Forest Service Intermountain Region,
ATTN: Objection Reviewing Officer, 324
25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Office
hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal
holidays. Please be explicit as to
whether the objection is for the ‘‘Ashley
National Forest Plan’’ or the ‘‘Ashley
Species of Conservation Concern’’ for
the Ashley National Forest. Please
coordinate any hand-delivered
objections with the objections and
litigation staff directly through email
(objections-intermtn-regional-office@
usda.gov) in order to ensure the
objection is properly documented and a
receipt provided.
• By Fax: To the Objection Reviewing
Officer at 801–625–5365. Faxes must be
addressed to ‘‘Objection Reviewing
Officer.’’ The fax coversheet should
include a subject line with ‘‘Ashley
National Forest Plan Revision
Objection’’ or ‘‘Ashley Species of
Conservation Concern’’ and specify the
number of pages being submitted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ashley National Forest Planner,
Anastasia Allen, at (406) 270–9241 or
anastasia.allen@usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
or hard of hearing (TDD) may call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–
E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM
14APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22997-22999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07857]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2023-0008]
Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection:
State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing
its intention to request revision of the approved information
collection regarding State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs. FSIS
is adding 164 burden hours to the collection due to the addition of new
states. The approval for this information collection will expire on
July 31, 2023.
DATES: Submit comments on or before June 13, 2023.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides
commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment
field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that
site for submitting comments.
Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E,
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0008. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to background documents or comments received,
call (202) 937-4272 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC
20250-3700; (202) 937-4272.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs.
OMB Number: 0583-0170.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2023.
Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.
Abstract: The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (PPIA) provide for FSIS to cooperate with State
agencies in developing and administering their own meat or poultry
inspection (MPI) programs (21 U.S.C. 661 and 454). The FMIA and the
PPIA restrict each cooperative State MPI program to the inspection and
regulation of products that are produced and sold within the State (21
U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and 454(a)(1)). Under section 661 of the FMIA and
section 454 of the PPIA, cooperative State MPI programs are required to
operate in a manner and with authorities ``at least equal to'' the
provisions set out in the FMIA and PPIA (21 U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and
454(a)(1)).
FSIS is announcing its intention to request revision of the
approved information collection regarding State MPI programs. FSIS
collects information from State MPI programs to ensure that their
programs operate in a manner that is at least equal to FSIS' Federal
inspection program in the protection of public interest; comply with
requirements of Federal civil rights laws and regulations; meet
necessary laboratory quality assurance standards and testing
frequencies; and have the capability to perform microbiology and food
chemistry methods that are ``at least equal to'' methods performed in
the FSIS laboratories. FSIS is adding 164 burden hours to the
collection due to the addition of new states. The approval for this
information collection will expire on July 31, 2023.
Twenty-nine states have MPI programs that operate under a
cooperative agreement with FSIS and are subject to the comprehensive
review
[[Page 22998]]
process. Comprehensive reviews of State MPI programs are conducted by
an interdisciplinary team of FSIS Auditors from the Office of
Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA), the Financial Management
Division (FMD), the Civil Rights Staff (CRS), and the Laboratory
Quality Assurance, Response, and Coordination Staff (LQARCS).
There are nine review components that make up the comprehensive
review process. The components are as follows: Component 1--Statutory
Authority and Food Safety Regulations; Component 2--Inspection;
Component 3--Sampling Programs; Component 4--Staffing, Training, and
Supervision; Component 5--Humane Handling; Component 6--Compliance;
Component 7--Laboratory Quality Assurance Program and Methods;
Component 8--Civil Rights; and Component 9--Financial Accountability.
For each of the first six components, State MPI programs submit
annual self-assessment documentation to FSIS to demonstrate that the
State MPI program is meeting the ``at least equal to'' Federal
inspection requirements. Each component of the annual self-assessment
includes a written narrative statement and documentation demonstrating
that the program continuously meets the criteria to be ``at least equal
to'' the Federal inspection program. State MPI programs also submit
sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the program either follows
current FSIS statutes, regulations, applicable directives and notices,
and has implemented any changes necessary to maintain the ``at least
equal to'' status or that the State MPI program has an effective,
analogous program that would also be ``at least equal to'' the Federal
inspection program. All State MPI programs need to demonstrate they
operate in a manner that protects the health and welfare of consumers
by ensuring that the meat and poultry products distributed by the
establishments in the program are wholesome, not adulterated, and
properly marked, labeled, and packaged.
The annual self-assessment submission also includes one or more
narratives describing the internal controls used by the State MPI
program that: (1) Provide assurances and can measure the effectiveness
of the program under the ``at least equal to'' criteria; (2)
demonstrate how non-conformances will be addressed by corrective
actions; and (3) demonstrate how the State MPI program will be
maintained throughout the next 12 months.
For Component 7 of the comprehensive State review process, states
submit documentation of their laboratory quality assurance programs and
methods. States document their laboratory quality assurance program
activities on the FSIS Form 5720-14, State Meat and Poultry Inspection
Program Laboratory Quality Management System Checklist. States submit
copies of new or revised laboratory analytical methods accompanied by a
FSIS Form 5720-15, Laboratory Method Notification Form.
For Component 8 of the comprehensive review process, states submit
documentation of their Civil Rights compliance. States receive FSIS
monies to operate their MPI programs, and as such, are subject to the
nondiscrimination provisions of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. To
assess the 29 states' compliance with these provisions, FSIS requests
information on the states' civil rights programs and controls on FSIS
Form 1520.1, Civil Rights Compliance of State Inspection Programs. This
form requests information regarding nine areas of civil rights
compliance, which include: (1) Civil Rights Assurances; (2) State
Infrastructure and Program Accountability; (3) Public Notification; (4)
Racial and Ethnic Data Collection; (5) Civil Rights Complaints of
Discrimination; (6) Civil Rights Training; (7) Disability Compliance;
(8) Limited English Proficiency; and (9) Compliance with the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975. The form allows states to: (1) Document
management controls they have implemented and maintained with regard to
these nine categories; and (2) document how their overall civil rights
program constitutes a civil rights program ``at least equal to'' the
FSIS Federal program.
FSIS requests documentation concerning all components of the self-
assessment and completion of these forms annually. Submission of the
completed forms is due by November 1 each year to the Coordinators from
OIEA, FMD, CRS, and LQARCS. In each submission, states respond to all
questions and report on programs and activities implemented and
maintained during the prior fiscal year (October 1 through September
30).
In addition to the annual self-assessment submission, State MPI
programs are subject to an on-site review at a minimum frequency of
once every three years to verify the accuracy and implementation of the
self-assessment submissions. In the year that a State MPI program is
scheduled for an on-site review, FSIS closely examines records from the
State MPI program to determine annually whether the program is ``at
least equal to'' the Federal inspection program.
FSIS has made the following estimates for the revised information
collection.
Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take each
respondent an average of 243.137 hours to complete the forms and
narratives.
Respondents: State MPI Directors, Program Managers, and/or Human
Resources Officials.
Estimated No. of Respondents: 29 respondents.
Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,051 hours.
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. Copies of this information collection assessment can be
obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 937-
4272.
Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the method and assumptions 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, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be
sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register
[[Page 22999]]
publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to
provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of
information that could affect or would be of interest to our
constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on
the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information
to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an
email subscription service which provides automatic and customized
access to selected food safety news and information. This service is
available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from
recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices.
Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the
option to password protect their accounts.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status,
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a
letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's
name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date
of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or
letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-07857 Filed 4-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
