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###### Department of Agriculture

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

          - [Docket No. APHIS-2007-0047] 

# 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 associated with regulations for the importation of bees and related articles. 

# DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 23, 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-2007-0047 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-2007-0047, 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-2007-0047. 

*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 an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of bees and related articles, contact Dr. Wayne Wehling, Entomologist, Pest Permit Evaluations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8757. 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:*                     Bees and Related Articles.                 

*OMB Number:*                     0579-0207.                 

*Type of Request:*                     Extension of approval of an information collection.                 

*Abstract:*                     Under the Honeybee Act (7 U.S.C. 281-286), the Secretary is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen to prevent the introduction into the United States of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees and of undesirable species such as the African honeybee. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).                 

                    Further, the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 U.S.C. 7701*et seq.*) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. As with the Honeybee Act, APHIS has delegated authority for the PPA.                 

The establishment of certain bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees in the United States could cause substantial reductions in pollination by bees. These reductions could cause serious damage to crops and other plants and result in substantial financial losses to American agriculture. 

Regulations for the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen and regulations to prevent the introduction of exotic bee diseases and parasites through the importation of bees other than honeybees, certain beekeeping products, and used beekeeping equipment are contained in 7 CFR part 322, “Bees, Beekeeping Byproducts, and Beekeeping Equipment.” These regulations require the use of certain information collection activities, including: An application for permit, appeals for denial of permit application and cancellation of permit, request for risk assessment, inspection report of containment facilities, request for release of containment, transit documentation, export certificate, notice of arrival, packaging and labeling, and recordkeeping by containment facilities. 

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                           ( print page 28947)    

(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 2.4338 hours per response.                 

*Respondents:*                     Importers and shippers of bees and related articles, foreign governments, and containment facilities.                 

*Estimated annual number of respondents :*                     869.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:*                     1.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses:*                     869.                 

*Estimated total annual burden on respondents:*                     2,115 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 17th day of May 2007. 

Kevin Shea, 

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. E7-9897 Filed 5-22-07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P