[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28020]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 /
Notices
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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: [email protected] 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