Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Specified Risk Materials

Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Specified Risk Materials

DATES:

Submit comments on or before March 16, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Specified Risk Materials.

OMB Number: 0583-0129.

Type of Request: Renewal of an approved 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 Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq. ). This statute mandates that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

FSIS is requesting a renewal for the approved information collection regarding SRMs in cattle. The approval for this information collection will expire on April 30, 2026. FSIS is making no changes to the information collection.

FSIS requires official establishments that slaughter cattle or process carcasses or parts of cattle to develop written procedures for the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs. The Agency requires that these establishments maintain daily records to document the implementation and monitoring of their procedures for the removal, segregation, and disposition of SRMs, as well as any corrective actions that they take to ensure that the procedures are effective (9 CFR 310.22(e)).

FSIS also requires official slaughter establishments that transport carcasses or parts of cattle 30 months of age and older and containing vertebral columns to other federally inspected establishments to ensure that the carcasses and parts are accompanied by documentation stating that they contain vertebral columns from such cattle, to maintain records identifying the establishments that receive the carcasses and parts, and to maintain records verifying that the receiving establishments removed and properly disposed of the portions of the vertebral column designated as SRMs (9 CFR 310.22(g)).

This monitoring and recordkeeping is necessary for establishments to ensure, in a manner that can be verified by FSIS, that meat and meat products distributed in commerce for use as human food do not contain SRMs.

FSIS has made the following estimates for the renewal information collection:

Respondents: Official establishments that slaughter cattle or process parts of cattle.

Estimated No. of Respondents: 3,512.

Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 303.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 123,916 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; 202-720-5046.

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 that provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. The available information ranges 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, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 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.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information ( e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

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