[Federal Register: February 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 24)]
[Notices]
[Page 5865-5866]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05fe03-39]
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[[Page 5865]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 03-004N]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved
information collection package regarding exportation, transportation,
and importation of meat and poultry products.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 31,
2003.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork
Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street,
SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-0345.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and
Poultry Products.
OMB Number: 0583-0094.
Expiration Date of Approval: 1/31/03.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the
functions of the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS
protect the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe,
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the information
collection package addressing meat and poultry paperwork and
recordkeeping requirements regarding exportation, transportation, and
importation of meat and poultry products. FSIS requires that meat and
poultry establishments exporting product to foreign countries complete
an export certificate. Establishments must supply the type, amount, and
destination of product being exported. The information required on this
form does not duplicate any information required by other Federal
agencies. The form is necessary to certify to the importing countries
that FSIS inspectors have inspected the product and have found it sound
and wholesome. Additionally, FSIS uses the information from the form in
its annual Report to Congress as required by sections 301(c)(4) and
20(e) of the FMIA and sections 27 and 5(c)(4) of the PPIA.
Meat and poultry products not marked with the mark of inspection
and shipped from one official establishment to another for further
processing must be transported under FSIS seal to prevent such unmarked
product from entering into commerce. To track product shipped under
seal, FSIS requires shipping establishments to complete a form that
identifies the type, amount, and weight of the product.
A foreign country exporting meat or poultry products to the U.S.
must establish eligibility for importation of product into the U.S. and
annually certify that its inspection systems are ``at least equal to''
the U.S. inspection system. To maintain eligibility, a written report
must be prepared monthly by a representative of the foreign inspection
system for each establishment listed in the certification.
Additionally, meat and poultry products intended for import into the
U.S. must be accompanied by a health certificate, signed by an official
of the foreign government, stating that the products have been produced
by certified foreign establishments. Establishments or brokers wishing
to import product into the United States must complete a form that
specifies the type, amount, originating country and destination of the
meat and poultry product. The amount of meat and poultry product
imported into the United States is included in FSIS's annual Report to
Congress. Additionally, FSIS has established procedures allowing
establishments importing product to stamp such product with the
inspection legend prior to FSIS inspection, if they receive FSIS prior
approval.
Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .0773501 hours per response.
Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments, and importers and
exporters.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,374.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 295.88866.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 168,769 hours.
Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained
from John O'Connell, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-
3700, (202) 720-5276.
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 methodology 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 on those who are to respond, including
through use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information
technology. Comments may be sent to both John O'Connell, Paperwork
Specialist, at the address provided above, and the Desk Officer for
Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
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.
Additional Public Notification
This notice is designed to provide information to the public and
request their comments on FSIS' information collection requirements
regarding
[[Page 5866]]
Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and Poultry
Products. Public involvement is important. Consequently, in an effort
to better ensure that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities
are made aware of this request for the extension and revision of the
currently approved information collection request 0583-0094 and are
informed about the mechanism for providing their comments, FSIS will
announce it and provide copies of this Federal Register publication in
the FSIS Constituent Update.
FSIS provides a weekly FSIS Constituent Update, which is
communicated via fax to over 300 organizations and individuals. In
addition, the update is available on line through the FSIS Web page
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. The update is used to provide
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal
Register Notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and any other types of
information that could affect or would be of interest to our
constituents/stakeholders. The constituent fax list consists of
industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied
health professionals, scientific professionals and other individuals
that have requested to be included. Through these various channels,
FSIS is able to provide information with a much broader, more diverse
audience.
For more information and to be added to the constituent fax list,
fax your request to the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, at
(202) 720-5704.
Linda M. Swacina,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-2607 Filed 1-30-03; 5:01 pm]