73 FR 224 pgs. 69601-69602 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Requirements for Requests To Amend Import Regulations
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 224Pages: 69601 - 69602
Docket number: [Docket No. APHIS-2008-0122]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-27483 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Agriculture Department
Sub Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0122]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Requirements for Requests To Amend Import Regulations
AGENCY:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION:
Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for requests to import commodities not already authorized by 7 CFR part 319.
DATES:
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before January 20, 2009.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetaild=APHIS-2008-0122 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0122, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0122.
Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov .
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information on regulations for requests to amend import regulations, contact Ms. Shirley A. Wager-Page, Branch Chief, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8453. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Requirements for Requests To Amend Import Regulations.
OMB Number: 0579-0261.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.
Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. ), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Regulations governing the importation of plants, fruits, vegetables, roots, bulbs, seeds, unmanufactured wood articles, and other plant products are contained in 7 CFR part 319, "Foreign Quarantine Notices."
Persons who wish to import plants, plant parts, or plant products that are not already authorized under 7 CFR part 319 must file a request with APHIS in order for APHIS to consider whether the new commodity may be safely imported into the United States. The requestor must also provide information required by 7 CFR 319.5, including, but not limited to, information about the requestor, the commodity to be imported, the volume or quantity expected to be shipped, pests and diseases associated with the commodity, risk mitigation or management strategies, and additional information as may be requested by APHIS in order to complete a pest risk analysis in accordance with international standards.
We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate 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) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 40 hours per response.
Respondents: Importers and foreign plant protection organizations and producers.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 35.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 105.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,200 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)
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.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of November 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27483 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
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