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###### Department of Agriculture

###### Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

          - [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0180] 

# AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. 

# ACTION:

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 an extension of approval of an information collection related to the export of animals and animal products from the United States. 

# DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 18, 2007. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods: 
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal:                          Go to                          http://www.regulations.gov,                          select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0180 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link.                     
      -  Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:                          Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0180, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0180.                     

*Reading Room:*                         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.                     

*Other Information:*                         Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at                         *http://www.aphis.usda.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the regulations regarding the export of animals and animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Jack Taniewski, Assistant Director, Technical Trade Services Team, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8364. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*Title:*                     U.S. Origin Health Certificate.                 

*OMB Number:*                     0579-0020.                 

*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. 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 must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS, APHIS accredited, or State veterinarian. VS Form 17-140, U.S. Origin Health Certificate, and its continuation form, VS Form 17-140A, are used to meet this requirement. In addition, other information collection activities used for the export of animals and animal products may include: Environmental certification for export facilities; notarized statements; documentation of undue hardship for animals departing from a specific export location; requests regarding approval or withdrawal of approval of export facilities; and recordkeeping for modification of rail stanchions on vessels. 

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (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 information collection, 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 information collection 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 0.291882 hours per response.                 

*Respondents:*                     APHIS accredited and State veterinarians; animal owners; and exporters.                 

*Estimated annual number of respondents:*                     3,067.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:*                     29.36648.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses:*                     90,067.                           ( print page 12756)    

*Estimated total annual burden on respondents:*                     26,289 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 13th day of March 2007. 

Kevin Shea, 

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. E7-4918 Filed 3-16-07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P