In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to request a new information collection for pilot projects that test different control strategies for Salmonella contamination in poultry products. This is a new information collection with an estimated annual burden of 620 hours. On April 8, 2022, FSIS published a notice announcing this new information collection with an estimated annual burden of 310 hours. However, since publication, FSIS received an increased number of requests for participation in the pilot projects program. Therefore, FSIS is republishing the notice to increase the estimated annual burden by 310 hours for a total of 620 hours.

Dates

Submit comments on or before December 18, 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–2022–0001. 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: Salmonella Control Strategies Pilot Projects.

OMB Number: 0583–NEW.

Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq. ). This statute mandates that FSIS protect the public by verifying that poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

FSIS is requesting a new information collection for pilot projects that test different control strategies for Salmonella contamination in poultry products. This is a new information collection with an estimated annual burden of 620 hours. On April 8, 2022, FSIS published a notice announcing this new information collection with an estimated annual burden of 310 hours. However, since publication, FSIS received an increased number of requests for participation in the pilot projects program. Therefore, FSIS is republishing the notice to increase the estimated annual burden by 310 hours for a total of 620 hours.

On October 19, 2021, USDA announced that FSIS would mobilize a stronger and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. (1) A key component of this effort is identifying ways to incentivize the use of preharvest controls to reduce Salmonella contamination coming into the slaughterhouse. Under the pilot projects program, establishments will experiment with new or existing pathogen control and measurement strategies and share data with FSIS. Associations may also submit aggregate data. The data will be analyzed by FSIS to determine whether they support changes to FSIS existing Salmonella control strategies.

FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information collection assessment:

Estimate of burden: FSIS estimates that it will take each respondent an average of 15.5 hours per year for this collection of information.

Estimated total number of respondents: 40.

Estimated average number of responses per respondent: 7.

Estimated annual number of responses: 260.

Estimated annual burden on respondents: 620 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 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.usda.gov/forms/electronic- 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: program.intake@usda.gov .

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Theresa Nintemann,

Deputy Administrator, FSIS.

[FR Doc. 2023–22978 Filed 10–17–23; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P

Footnotes

(1)  The announcement can be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/compliance-guidance/microbial-risk/salmonella/pilot-projects-salmonella-control.