73 FR 227 pgs. 70954-70955 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Swine and Swine Products From the European Union
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 227Pages: 70954 - 70955
Docket number: [Docket No. APHIS-2008-0128]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-27850 Filed 11-21-08; 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-2008-0128]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Swine and Swine Products From the European Union
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 the importation of swine and swine products from the European Union.
DATES:
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before January 23, 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=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0128 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-2008-0128, 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-2008-0128.
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 the importation of swine and swine products from the European Union, contact Dr. James Davis, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export (Animals), VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0694; or Dr. Lynette McDuffie, Staff Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export (Products), VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0689. 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: Importation of Swine and Swine Products From the European Union.
OMB Number: 0579-0265.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.
Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq. ), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests. Regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products into the United States are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98.
Regulations in parts 94 and 98 prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animals and animal products, including live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen, into the United States to prevent the introduction into the U.S. livestock population of certain animal diseases, including classical swine fever (CSF).
Sections 94.24 and 98.38 contain regulations necessary to mitigate the risk of introducing CSF into the United States from a defined region of the European Union ("the APHIS-defined EU CSF region") and require the use of information collection activities, including certificates issued by animal health authorities of the Member States of the APHIS-defined EU-CSF region stating that applicable provisions of the regulations to prevent the introduction of CSF into the United States via live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen have been met.
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 this 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 information collection, 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 information collection 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 1 hour per response.
Respondents: Animal health authorities of the APHIS-defined EU CSF region.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 86.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.5.
Estimated annual number of responses: 816.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 816 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 18th day of November 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27850 Filed 11-21-08; 8:45 am]
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