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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37778-37779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15002]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0040]

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: 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 an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the export of animal products from the 
United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 23, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0040-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0040, 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-
0040 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 export of 
animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Eric Coleman, 
Assistant Director for Export Products, Export Products,

[[Page 37779]]

National Center for Import and Export, 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: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.
    OMB Number: 0579-0256.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including animals 
and animal products, is a major business in the United States and 
contributes to a favorable balance of trade. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and products, U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains 
information regarding the import health requirements of other countries 
for animals and animal products exported from the United States. The 
regulations for export certification of animals and animal products are 
contained in 9 CFR parts 91 and 156.
    Many countries that import animal products from the United States 
require a certification from APHIS that the United States is free of 
certain diseases. These countries may also require that our 
certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the 
U.S. animal products being exported. This certification must carry the 
USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative (e.g., a 
Veterinary Medical Officer). The certification process involves the use 
of information collection activities, including an Export Health 
Certificate for Animal Products Form/Continuation Sheet (Veterinary 
Services (VS) Forms 16-4/16-4A), and if a certificate is denied or 
withdrawn by VS, an exporter can request a hearing to appeal VS' 
decision.
    These information collection activities were previously approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with an estimated total 
annual burden on respondents of 66,266 hours and an estimated annual 
number of responses of 133,652. Due to the increase in exports in 
response to market forces, the number of respondents has increased to 
42,000, which has also increased the estimated annual number of 
responses to 178,502. However, we have decreased the estimated total 
annual burden on respondents from 66,266 hours to 57,122 hours because 
respondents indicated that the time needed to complete VS Form 16-4 was 
less than our previous estimate.
    We are asking 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 0.32 hours per response.
    Respondents: Exporters of U.S. animal products.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 42,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.25.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 178,502.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 57,122 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 19th day of June 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15002 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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