### 4866 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2014 / Notices

**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.

**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/#!document Detail;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.


### 4867 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2014 / Notices

1 The Treatment Manual is available at http:// www.aphis.usda.gov/import

_export/plants/ manuals/index.shtml or by contacting the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD

21702. 2 To view the rule and supporting documents, including the environmental assessment, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
APHIS-2011-0060

. 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**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2013–0095]**

**Notice of Availability of a Treatment Evaluation Document for Methyl**  **Bromide Treatment for Kumquat**

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that we have determined that it is necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual a treatment schedule for methyl bromide fumigation of kumquats to control certain fruit flies. We have prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes the new treatment schedule and explains why we have determined that it is effective at neutralizing fruit flies. We are making this treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and comment.

**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/#!document Detail;D=APHIS-2013-0095-0001

.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2013–0095, 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-2013-0095 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, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist with Regulations, Permits and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 135, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–2114.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are intended, among other things, to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests and noxious weeds into or within the United States. Under the regulations, certain plants, fruits, vegetables, and other articles must be treated before they may be moved into the United States or interstate. The phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR chapter III (referred to below as the regulations) set out standards for treatments required in parts 301, 318, and 319 of 7 CFR chapter III for fruits, vegetables, and other articles.

In § 305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. 1 Section 305.3 sets out a process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. In that section, paragraph (b) sets out the process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is an immediate need to make a change. The circumstances in which an immediate need exists are described in § 305.3(b)(1). They are:

• PPQ has determined that an approved treatment schedule is ineffective at neutralizing the targeted plant pest(s).

• PPQ has determined that, in order to neutralize the targeted plant pest(s), the treatment schedule must be administered using a different process than was previously used.

• PPQ has determined that a new treatment schedule is effective, based on efficacy data, and that ongoing trade in a commodity or commodities may be adversely impacted unless the new treatment schedule is approved for use.

• The use of a treatment schedule is no longer authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or by any other Federal entity.

We have determined that a new methyl bromide fumigation treatment schedule to control the fruit flies Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus on kumquat (Fortunella japonica) is effective, and we have determined that ongoing trade in kumquat will be adversely impacted unless the new treatment is approved for use.

On July 10, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 41259–41265, Docket No. APHIS–2011–0060) a rule 2 to amend the regulations to allow the importation of several species of fresh citrus and Citrus hybrids (‘‘citrus fruit’’), including kumquat, from Uruguay into the continental United States under certain conditions. Under § 319.56–59, citrus fruit other than lemons must be treated in accordance with part 305, and lemons may be imported without treatment if harvested green between May 15 and August 31; otherwise, lemons must be treated as well.

Currently, there are cold treatment schedules listed in the PPQ Treatment Manual to mitigate the risk of fruit flies on many citrus varieties, but there is currently no treatment available for kumquat from Uruguay.

Therefore, in accordance with § 305.3(b)(2), we have determined that it is necessary to immediately add a new treatment schedule for kumquat in the PPQ Treatment Manual. Based on existing treatments of several citrus commodities to control C. capitata and A. fraterculus, we are adding a new treatment schedule, T101-n-3, to treat kumquat for C. capitata and A. fraterculus when imported into the United States from countries that are authorized to export kumquat to the United States. The addition of the methyl bromide treatment for kumquat will ensure adequate quarantine security from fruit flies, and resolve the inconsistency inherent in § 319.56–59 that lists kumquat as a fruit that may be imported into the continental United States if treated in accordance with part 305 for C. capitata and A. fraterculus.

This treatment schedule will be listed in a separate section of the PPQ Treatment Manual, which will indicate that T101-n-3 was added through the immediate process described in § 305.3(b) and that is subject to change or removal based on public comment.

The reasons for this revision are described in a treatment evaluation document (TED) we have prepared to support this action. The TED may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room. You may also request paper copies of the TED by calling or writing to the person listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT**

.

We are also announcing that we have prepared a finding of no significant