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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34486-34487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14117]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0040]

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; U.S. 
Origin Health Certificate Template

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: New 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 approval of a new information collection for a 
U.S. origin health certificate template.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 18, 2014.

[[Page 34487]]

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0040.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2014-0040, 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-2014-
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 U.S. origin 
health certificate template, contact Dr. Courtney Bronner Williams, 
Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3357. 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: U.S. Origin Health Certificate Template.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new 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 
U.S. Department of Agriculture has the authority to detect, control, or 
eradicate pests or diseases of livestock and poultry. APHIS may also 
prohibit or restrict the importation or export of any animal to prevent 
the spread of livestock or poultry pests or diseases.
    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. Within APHIS, Veterinary 
Services (VS) maintains information regarding the import health 
requirements of other countries for animals and animal products 
exported from the United States, as most countries require a 
certification that our animals are free from specific diseases and show 
no clinical evidence of disease. Knowledge of these import health 
requirements allows exporters to determine whether their animals meet 
the health requirements of the destination countries and promotes 
disease prevention, which is the most effective method for maintaining 
a healthy animal population and enhancing our country's ability to 
compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.
    Exporters currently use several forms approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to certify that their animals meet the 
certification requirements of other countries. However, to expedite the 
process, VS has developed an adaptable electronic export health 
certificate template for use by exporters and trading partners for the 
export certification of animals. This new template has the potential to 
replace other paper-based forms associated with the export 
certification of animals.
    We are asking OMB to approve our use of this information collection 
activity for 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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Live animal owners and exporters, accredited 
veterinarians, and animal health officials of the countries of 
destination.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,849.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 24.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 44,376.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 22,188 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 11th day of June 2014.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14117 Filed 6-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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