[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 98 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31874-31875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12658]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 00-041-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

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 a currently approved information 
collection in support of the export of animals and animal products from 
the United States.

DATES: We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all 
comments that we receive by July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 00-
041-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 
4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 00-041-1.
    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.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the use of 
VS Form 17-140, contact Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Animals Program, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-4928. For copies of 
more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. 
Cheryl Groves, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-
5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: U.S. Origin Health Certificate.
    OMB Number: 0579-0020.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved 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. As part of its mission, 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), maintains 
information regarding the import health requirements of other countries 
for animals and animal products exported from the United States.
    Most countries require a certification that our animals are free 
from specific diseases and show no clinical evidence of disease. This 
certification generally must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an 
authorized APHIS veterinarian. VS Form 17-140, United States Origin 
Health Certificate, is generally used to meet these requirements. 
Regulations requiring a U.S. Origin Health Certificate under certain 
circumstances are contained in 9 CFR part 91. The regulations in part 
91 are authorized under 21 U.S.C. 105, 112, 113, 114a, 120, 121, 134b, 
134f, 136, 136a, 612, 613, 614, and 618; 46 U.S.C. 466a and 466b; and 
49 U.S.C. 1509 (d).
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our continued use of VS Form 17-140, United States Origin Health 
Certificate, 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 
activity. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for 
the proper performance of our agency's functions, 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;

[[Page 31875]]

    (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 .4994 hours per response.
    Respondents: State, Federal, and accredited veterinarians, animal 
owners, and exporters.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,800.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 15.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 42,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 21,009 hours. (Due to 
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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 15th day of May 2000.
Bobby R. Accord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12658 Filed 5-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U