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[Federal Register: March 30, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 60)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15672-15673]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30mr10-36]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0013]

 
Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Subtype H5N1

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision and 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 revise an information collection associated with 
regulations to prevent the introduction of the H5N1 subtype of highly 
pathogenic avian influenza through imported birds, poultry, and 
unprocessed bird and poultry products and to request extension of 
approval of the information collection.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0013) to submit or view comments 
and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0013, 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-2010-0013.

[[Page 15673]]

    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 regulations to 
prevent the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype 
H5N1, contact Dr. Bettina Cooper, Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade 
Services Team--Animals, NCIE, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-3400; or Dr. Tracye Butler, Assistant 
Director, Technical Trade Services Team--Products, NCIE, VS, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-3277. 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: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Subtype H5N1.
    OMB Number: 0579-0245.
    Type of Request: Revision 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 is authorized, among other 
things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement 
of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and 
dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases and pests. 
To carry out this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals 
and animal products into the United States. The regulations are 
contained in title 9, parts 92 through 98, of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    The regulations in 9 CFR parts 93, 94, and 95 govern, among other 
things, the importation of certain birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird 
and poultry products and byproducts to prevent the introduction of the 
H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).
    HPAI H5N1 is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease 
for poultry. HPAI can strike poultry quickly without any warning signs 
of infection and, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to 
flock. HPAI viruses can also be spread by manure, equipment, vehicles, 
egg flats, crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have come in 
contact with the virus. HPAI viruses can remain viable at moderate 
temperatures for long periods in the environment and can survive 
indefinitely in frozen material. One gram of contaminated manure can 
contain enough virus to infect 1 million poultry.
    APHIS' regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of 
unprocessed bird and poultry products and byproducts from regions that 
have reported the presence of the H5N1 subtype of HPAI, and contain 
permit and quarantine requirements for U.S. origin pet birds and 
performing or theatrical birds and poultry returning to the United 
States after being in such regions. The provisions necessitate the use 
of several information collection activities, including an Application 
to Import Controlled Materials or Transport Organisms and Vectors (VS 
Form 16-3), an Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (VS Form 17-
129), a notarized declaration or affirmation, a Pet Bird Owner 
Agreement (VS Form 17-8), and notification of signs of disease in a 
recently imported bird. We are revising the currently approved 
information collection (0579-0245) to include an Import Permit (VS Form 
16-6).
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities 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 0.2935 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. importers of unprocessed bird and poultry 
products from regions where HPAI subtype H5N1 has been reported, and 
owners of U.S.-origin pet birds and U.S. performing or theatrical birds 
or poultry returning to the United States.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 270.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.0852.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 563.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 165.26 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 24\th\ day of March 2010.

Gregory L. Parham
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7046 Filed 3-29-10: 9:46 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-S
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