[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 89425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29694]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 238 / Monday, December 12, 2016 /
Notices
[[Page 89425]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
December 7, 2016.
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 are requested regarding (1)
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; (2) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 January 11, 2017. 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
by USDA, State program governing State officials, and certifying
agents. The information 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 any
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.
In this renewal submission, AMS has removed the record-keeping
burden attributed to the implementation of two organic certification
cost-share programs: The National Organic Certification Cost-Share
Program and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic
Certification Cost-Share Program. Responsibility for the Organic Cost-
Share Programs is being transferred to the Farm Services Agency (FSA).
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 33,254.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
Total Burden Hours: 7,239,709.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-29694 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P