Notice2026-05653
Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Primary source
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Published
March 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the currently approved information collection used in support of the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Eggs (as authorized by the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA)), which is commonly referred to as the Shell Egg Surveillance Program (OMB Number 0581-0113).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 55 (Monday, March 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13812-13813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05653]
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 13812]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-LP-26-0034]
Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information
Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural
Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the currently approved
information collection used in support of the Regulations Governing the
Inspection of Eggs (as authorized by the Egg Products Inspection Act
(EPIA)), which is commonly referred to as the Shell Egg Surveillance
Program (OMB Number 0581-0113).
DATES: Comments must be received by May 22, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning
this notice by using the electronic process available at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Written comments may also be submitted to the
Livestock and Poultry Program; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA;
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0249; Washington, DC 20250-0258. All
comments should reference the docket number AMS-LP-26-0034, the date of
submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
All comments received will be posted without change, including any
personal information provided, at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and will be made
available for public inspection at the above physical address during
regular business hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lakisha Aller, Assistant to the
Director, Quality Assessment Division; (515) 657-1644; or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbf7dad0d2c8d3da95fad7d7dec9fbcec8dfda95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7bb969c9e849f96d9b69b9b9285b782849396d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview of This Information Collection
(1) Agency: USDA, AMS.
(2) Title: Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs (Egg Products
Inspection Act).
(3) OMB Number: 0581-0113.
(4) Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2026.
(5) Type of Request: Request for extension of a currently approved
information collection.
(6) Abstract: Congress enacted the EPIA (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056) to
provide, in part, a mandatory inspection program to control the
disposition of dirty and checked shell eggs; to control unwholesome,
adulterated, and inedible shell eggs that are unfit for human
consumption; and to control the movement and disposition of imported
shell eggs.
The EPIA authorized USDA to issue regulations describing how these
functions would be carried out to ensure that only eggs fit for human
consumption are used for such purposes. To this end, USDA published
regulations implementing the EPIA, commonly referred to as the Shell
Egg Surveillance Program, in 7 CFR part 57.
Under the Shell Egg Surveillance Program, shell egg handlers and
hatcheries are required to register with USDA. A state or Federal
surveillance inspector visits each registered handler quarterly to
verify that shell eggs packed for consumer use comply with the
regulations (e.g., restricted eggs are not used for human consumption,
storage temperatures are maintained at 45 degrees ambient, etc.), that
restricted eggs are being disposed of properly, and that adequate
records are being maintained.
The information and recordkeeping requirements in this request are
essential to carry out the intent of Congress, to administer the
mandatory inspection program, and to take regulatory action, in
accordance with the regulations and the EPIA. The forms within this
collection package require the minimum information necessary to
effectively carry out the requirements of the regulations, and their
use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the EPIA.
The information collected is used only by authorized
representatives of the AMS Livestock and Poultry Program's Quality
Assessment Division, which includes state agencies authorized to
conduct inspections on AMS's behalf. The information is used only to
verify compliance with the EPIA and the regulations, and to facilitate
regulatory action. AMS is the primary user of the information;
secondary users include each authorized state agency that has a
cooperative agreement with AMS.
There have been no changes in the Shell Egg Surveillance Program or
in the information collection requirements. Since the previous
submission, there was an overall increase of + 535.25 burden hours, a
decrease of 41 Shell Egg Surveillance Program respondents, and an
increase of 975 shell egg import certification program respondents. The
increase in burden hours is due primarily to the increase in the number
of importer respondents who provided information required by 7 CFR
57.915(b) and 57.920. This change is attributed to volatile market
conditions, specifically stemming from widespread outbreaks of Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza within the United States, which precipitated
an increase in shell egg imports to offset domestic supply shortages.
The decrease in the overall number of Shell Egg Surveillance Program
survey respondents is primarily due to industry consolidation.
(7) Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
(8) Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits, and small
businesses or organizations.
(9) Estimated Number of Respondents: 719.
(10) Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.
(11) Estimated Total Annual Responses: 6,338.00.
(12) Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,984.60 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
AMS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2)
the accuracy of AMS's estimate of the burden of the
[[Page 13813]]
proposed collection of information, 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All responses will become a matter of public
record, including any personal information provided.
Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator,Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05653 Filed 3-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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