Overview
Title
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Agricultural Marketing Service wants people to tell them what they think about their plan to keep collecting and maybe change some information about how much and what kind of dairy stuff, like cheese and milk, are made. This helps make sure everything follows the rules and prices stay fair.
Summary AI
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA is seeking public comments on its plan to extend and revise its current data collection for the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. This program requires manufacturers of certain dairy products to report details like price and quantity to ensure compliance with federal milk marketing regulations. The information helps the USDA and the dairy industry manage and plan milk supplies and set minimum prices. Interested parties can submit comments until June 27, 2025.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension and revision of a currently approved information collection under the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. The information collected supports the marketing of dairy products and is used to verify compliance with Federal milk marketing regulations.
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AnalysisAI
The document from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA outlines its intention to extend and revise an existing data collection for the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. This initiative is crucial for supporting the marketing of dairy products and ensuring compliance with federal milk marketing regulations. By requiring manufacturers of certain dairy items to report critical details like price and quantity, the program aids the USDA in managing milk supplies and in setting minimum prices. The agency is inviting public comments on this plan through June 27, 2025.
General Summary
The Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program is a regulatory framework under which manufacturers must provide specific details regarding their dairy product sales to the USDA. These particulars include the prices, quantities, and, when applicable, moisture content of products. This information is fundamental for the USDA to administer federal programs effectively. It also assists the dairy industry in planning and making informed marketing decisions. The current announcement seeks to continue this program while proposing some revisions, although it is less clear what those revisions entail.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Despite its importance, the document has several notable ambiguities and issues. Firstly, it does not clarify what specific amendments will be made to the reporting program, which could create uncertainty for stakeholders who depend on this information. Secondly, the document estimates the same burden – i.e., time spent reporting – across different types of dairy products without an explanation. This estimation does not account for possible differences in reporting complexity. Moreover, the document lacks examples or detailed accounts of how the collected data has previously assisted in compliance verification or marketing strategies, making it challenging to gauge its actual utility. Lastly, while it seeks comments and feedback from the public, the document could have been more inviting or could have incentivized participation to boost engagement.
Broad Public Impact
The impact of this initiative on the general public is indirect but significant. By ensuring transparency and compliance in dairy markets, the program contributes to price stability and helps consumers have access to fairly priced and diverse dairy products. Maintaining program integrity means consumers benefit from the ripple effects of an orderly market, such as consistency in product availability and pricing.
Specific Stakeholders Impact
Dairy manufacturers and industry participants are directly affected by this program. By reporting sales data, these stakeholders help ensure industry compliance with federal guidelines and facilitate the setting of fair market prices. Though beneficial, the reporting process can be burdensome. Smaller manufacturers might find these requirements taxing, especially if revisions increase the reporting complexity. Conversely, larger manufacturers could continue benefiting as they tend to have better systems in place to comply with such mandates.
In conclusion, while the goals of the AMS in continuing the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program are clear, the execution and communication in this document could be more direct and detailed. Improving this might encourage greater stakeholder engagement and provide more clear guidance for industry compliance.
Issues
• The document does not clearly specify what revisions will be made to the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program information collection, leaving potential ambiguity about changes.
• The estimate of burden details are repeated for each type of dairy product without explaining why each has the same time estimate for reporting, which may not account for differences in reporting complexity among products.
• The document lacks a clear explanation or examples of how this information collection has previously benefited marketing initiatives or compliance verification, making it difficult to assess the practical utility.
• The request for public comments is standard, but there could be more incentives or a stronger call to action to encourage participation in providing feedback.