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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4866-4867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01758]

[[Page 4866]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0098]

Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Importation of Animals and Poultry, Animal and 
Poultry Products, Certain Animal Embryos, Semen, and Zoological Animals

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information 
collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection associated with the importation of animals and 
poultry, animal and poultry products, certain animal embryos, semen, 
and zoological animals.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 
31, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov/!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0098-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0098, 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-
2013-0098 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 the importation of 
animals and poultry, animal and poultry products, certain animal 
embryos, semen, and zoological animals, contact Dr. Bettina Helm, Avian 
Import Specialist, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3300. 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 Animals and Poultry, Animal and Poultry 
Products, Certain Animal Embryos, Semen, and Zoological Animals.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0040.
    Type of Request: Revision to and 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 (USDA) is authorized, among 
other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation of animals, 
animal products, and other articles into the United States to prevent 
the introduction of animal diseases and pests. In support of this 
mission, APHIS collects pertinent information from persons who import 
animals or poultry, animal or poultry products, certain animal embryos, 
semen, or zoological animals into the United States. This information 
includes data such as the origin of the animals or animal products to 
be imported, the health status of the animals or the processing methods 
used to produce animal products to be imported, and whether the animals 
or animal products were temporarily offloaded in another country during 
their transit to the United States. We need this information to help 
ensure that these imports do not introduce exotic animal diseases into 
the United States.
    To collect this information, we use a variety of procedures and 
forms, including health certificates, import permits, specimen 
submission forms, inspection reports, cooperative and trust fund 
agreements, and certification statements.
    These information collection activities were previously approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with an estimated annual 
number of responses of 259,871 and an estimated total annual burden on 
respondents of 101,626 hours. These numbers have decreased to 121,397 
and 31,923, respectively, due to program changes. For instance, one 
required form now replaces two previously required forms. Also, we no 
longer allow the importation of ratites, except for those destined to 
zoos. In addition, we reduced the number of States providing written 
agreements for one program. Lastly, we corrected the number of 
respondents to more accurately reflect the various forms of payment and 
letters of credit we receive.
    We are also revising this collection by returning five forms that 
had been moved to OMB control number 0579-0324; however, the return of 
these forms will not increase the overall burden.
    We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information 
collection activities, as described, 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 0.26 hours per response.
    Respondents: Foreign animal health authorities seeking to engage in 
the regionalization process, U.S. importers; State animal health 
officials; foreign exporters; foreign animal health officials; 
shippers, owners, and operators of foreign processing plants and farms; 
USDA-approved zoos, laboratories, and feedlots; private quarantine 
facilities; and other entities involved (directly or indirectly) in the 
importation of animals and poultry, animal and poultry products, 
zoological animals, certain animal embryos, and semen.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,278.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 95.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 121,397.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 31,923 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.

[[Page 4867]]

    Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of January 2014. .
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01758 Filed 1-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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