This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 1824

Vol. 78, No. 6

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0096]**

**Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National**  **Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy**  **Surveillance Program Documents**

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  New 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 approval of a new information collection associated with National Veterinary Services Laboratories diagnostic support for the bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 11,
2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0096-
0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0096, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0096 or in our reading room, which 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) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on documents associated with the bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program, contact Dr. Dean Goeldner, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–3511. 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: National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program Documents.

OMB Number: 0579–XXXX. Type of Request: Approval of a new 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to carry out activities to detect, control, and eradicate pests and diseases of livestock within the United States. APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) safeguard U.S. animal health and contribute to public health by ensuring that timely and accurate laboratory support is provided by their nationwide animal health diagnostic system.

In 2006, APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) implemented the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) Ongoing Surveillance Program. NVSL is instrumental to this program in its efforts to monitor and assess changes to the BSE status of U.S. cattle and to provide mechanisms for early detection of BSE, which is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of cattle.

As part of the surveillance program, NVSL tests and analyzes samples assembled from a variety of sites and from the cattle populations where BSE is most likely to be detected. These diagnostic services involve information collection activities, such as the USDA BSE Surveillance Submission Form/ Continuation Sheet (VS Forms 17–146/ 17–146a) and the USDA BSE Surveillance Data Collection Form (VS Form 17–131).

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for 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 0.1000068 hours per response.

Respondents: Slaughter establishments, offsite collection facilities for condemned slaughter cattle, rendering 3D/4D facilities, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, State animal health personnel, and accredited veterinarians.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 60.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 732.95.

Estimated annual number of
responses: 43,977.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 4,399 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.


### 1825 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 6 / Wednesday, January 9, 2013 / Notices

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January, 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–00192 Filed 1–8–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0088]**

**Notice of Establishment of an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service**  **Stakeholder Registry**

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces the availability of a new Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service stakeholder registry.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Hallie Zimmers, Advisor for State and Stakeholder Relations, Legislative and Public Affairs, APHIS, room 1147, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799–7029.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has established an electronic stakeholder registry for individuals and organizations interested in receiving updates regarding APHIS announcements, activities, policies, regulations and services. Subscribers can choose from an array of topics covering all of APHIS’ program areas and once registered will receive information via email or text tailored to their specific interests. In addition to choosing topics of interest, subscribers may select how often they want to receive messages.

APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine and Veterinary Services programs are already using this subscription service to share information with stakeholders. By expanding the registry to include APHIS’ Animal Care, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, International Services, and Wildlife Servicesprograms, we are adopting an agencywide approach toward increasing transparency and communication with our many and diverse stakeholders.

To join the registry and receive messages, stakeholders must subscribe and provide an email address or telephone number. Stakeholders can update their profiles at any time using this same information. Persons interested in becoming subscribers or updating their subscriptions may access the expanded registry at: https:// public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ USDAAPHIS/subscriber/ topics?qsp=USDAAPHIS

_ 1. Subscribers can also register or update their profiles by clicking on the red envelope on the APHIS home page at www.aphis.usda.gov. Questions concerning the APHIS stakeholder registry may be directed to the person listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**
**CONTACT**

.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January, 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–00193 Filed 1–8–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0004]**

**Importation of Fresh Barhi Dates From Israel Into the United States** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of fresh dates of the cultivar Barhi from Israel into the United States. Based on that analysis, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the pest risk. In addition, we are advising the public that we have prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes a new treatment schedule for Ceratitis capitata in Barhi dates. We are making the pest risk assessment and treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and comment.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 11,
2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS 2012-0004-
0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0004, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS 2012-0004 or in our reading room, which 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) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Marc Phillips, Import Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 156, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2114.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart— Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56– 1 through 319.56–57), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States.

Section 319.56–4 contains a performance-based process for approving the importation of commodities that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of the designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that section.

APHIS received a request from the Government of Israel to allow the importation of fresh dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) of the cultivar Barhi to be imported into the United States. Currently, fresh Barhi dates are not authorized for entry from Israel. We completed a pest risk assessment (PRA) to identify pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of importation if such imports were to be allowed. Based on the PRA, we then completed a risk management document (RMD) to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating the identified pests via the importation of Barhi dates from Israel. We have concluded that fresh Barhi dates can safely be imported into the United States from Israel using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in § 319.56–4(b). These measures are that: