[Federal Register: November 3, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 212)]
[Notices]
[Page 59342-59343]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no97-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Grain Inspection, Packers
and Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) intention to request an
extension for and revision to the currently approved information
collection for ``Regulations Governing the National Inspection and
Weighing System Under the United States Grain Standards Act and the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.''
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 2, 1998.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Sharon Vassiliades, ARTS,
GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3649, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.
20250-3649, or FAX 202 720-4628, telephone: 202 720-1738, e-mail:
svassili@gipsadc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Grain Standards Acts
(USGSA) and the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) were enacted to
facilitate the marketing of grain, oilseeds, pulses, rice, and related
commodities. These statutes establish standards and terms which
accurately and consistently measure the quality of grain and related
products, provide for uniform official inspection and weighing, provide
regulatory and service responsibilities, and furnish the framework for
commodity quality improvement incentives to both domestic and foreign
buyers. The Federal Grain Inspection Service of USDA's Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration establishes policies,
guidelines, and regulations to carry out the objectives of the USGSA
and the AMA.
The USGSA, with few exceptions, requires official certification of
export grain sold by grade. Official services are provided, upon
request, for grain in domestic commerce. The AMA authorizes similar
inspection and weighing services, upon request, for rice, pulses,
flour, corn meal, and certain other agricultural products. Conversely,
the regulations promulgating the USGSA and AMA require specific
information collection and recordkeeping necessary to carry out
requests for official services. Applicants for service must specify the
kind and level of service desired, the identification of the product,
the location, the amount, and other pertinent information in order that
official personnel can efficiently respond to their needs.
Official services under the USGSA are provided through FGIS field
offices and delegated and/or designated State and private agencies.
Delegated agencies are State agencies delegated authority under the Act
to provide official inspection service, Class X or Class Y weighing
services, or both, at one or more export port locations in the State.
Designated agencies are State or local governmental agencies or persons
designated under the Act to provide either official inspection
services, Class X or Class Y weighing services, or both, at locations
other than export port locations. State and private agencies, as a
requirement for delegation and/or designation, must comply with all
regulations, procedures, and instructions in accordance with provisions
established under the USGSA. FGIS field offices oversee the performance
of these agencies and provide technical guidance as needed.
Official services under the AMA are performed, upon request, on a
fee basis for domestic and export shipments either by FGIS employees,
individual contractors, or cooperators. Contractors are persons who
enter into a contract with FGIS to perform specified inspection
services. Cooperators are agencies or departments of the Federal
Government which have an interagency agreement or State agencies which
have a reimbursable agreement with FGIS.
Title: Regulations Governing the National Inspection and Weighing
System Under the USGSA and AMA of 1946.
OMB Number: 0580-0013.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 1998.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: The United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et
seq.) and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C 1621 et seq.)
provide that USDA inspect, certify and identify the class, quality,
quantity and condition of agricultural products shipped or
[[Page 59343]]
received in interstate and foreign commerce. Also, that USDA may enter
contracts or agreements with delegated or designated agencies to
provide official inspection personnel to perform the services.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting and record keeping burden for
this collection of information is estimated to average .16 hours per
response.
Respondents: Grain producers, buyers, and sellers, elevator
operators, grain merchandisers and official grain inspection agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3200.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 899.3.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 468,109.55 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cathy
McDuffie, the Agency Support Services Specialist, at (301) 734-5190.
Comments: 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 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 the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Sharon
Vassiliades, ARTS, GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3649, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-3649 or FAX 202 720-4628, telephone: 202
720-1738. All comments will be available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the same address.
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.
Dated: October 28, 1997.
James R. Baker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-29020 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P
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