[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44215-44216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17474]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0069]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Health Certificates for Export of Live Crustaceans, 
Finfish, Mollusks, and Related Products

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 approval of an information 
collection associated with health certificates for the export of live 
crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and related products.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0069 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
    <bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0069, 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-2008-0069.
    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 health certificates 
for the export of live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and related 
products, contact Dr. Peter Merrill, Staff Veterinarian, Technical 
Trade Services Team, NCIE, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0649; or Dr. Gary Egrie, Staff 
Veterinarian, Aquaculture, Swine, Equine & Poultry Programs, NCAHP, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0695. 
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: Health Certificates for Export of Live Crustaceans, Finfish, 
Mollusks, and Related Products.
    OMB Number: 0579-0278.
    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. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and animal products, the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other

[[Page 44216]]

countries for animals and animal products exported from the United 
States.
    Many countries that import animals or animal products from the 
United States require a certification that the United States is free of 
certain diseases. These countries may also require the certification 
statement to contain additional declarations regarding the U.S. animals 
or products being exported.
    The regulations governing the export of animals and products from 
the United States are contained in 9 CFR part 91, subchapter D, 
``Exportation and Importation of Animals (Including Poultry) and Animal 
Products,'' and apply to farm-raised aquatic animals and products, as 
well as other livestock and products. These regulations are authorized 
by the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.).
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Department of the Interior, as well as 
APHIS, have legal authorities and responsibilities related to aquatic 
animal health in the United States. All three agencies have, therefore, 
entered into a memorandum of understanding delineating their respective 
responsibilities in the issuance of health certificates for the export 
of live aquatic animals and animal products.
    As a result of these shared responsibilities, three health 
certificates were developed that bear the logo of all three agencies. 
The certificates can be used by all three agencies for export health 
certifications for live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and their 
related products from the United States. In order for the agencies to 
complete these certificates, exporters must provide the names of the 
species being exported from the United States, their age and weight, if 
applicable, whether they are cultured stock or wild stock, their place 
of origin, their country of destination, and the date and method of 
transport. The certificates are completed by an accredited inspector 
(in the case of FWS or NMFS) or accredited veterinarian (in the case of 
APHIS) and must be signed by either the accredited inspector or 
accredited veterinarian who inspects the animals or products prior to 
their departure from the United States, as well as the appropriate 
Federal official (from either APHIS, FWS, or NMFS) who certifies the 
health status of the shipment being exported.
    By endorsing the health certificates, these officials are 
certifying that (1) the aquatic animals or products in the consignment 
have been produced in a country, zone, or aquaculture establishment 
that has been subjected either to a health surveillance scheme 
recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), or one 
recommended by the American Fisheries Society/Fish Health Section's 
Standard Procedures for Aquatic Animal Health Inspections (also known 
as the ``Blue Book''); and (2) the country, zone, or aquaculture 
establishment is officially recognized as being free from all of the 
pathogens causing the diseases identified on the specific health 
certificate being endorsed. (Each of the three health certificates 
lists a variety of diseases, depending on whether the certificate is 
for crustaceans, finfish, or mollusks.)
    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 this 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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Accredited inspectors or accredited veterinarians who 
complete the health certificates and producers who provide information 
for the health certificates to the accredited inspectors or accredited 
veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 40.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 200.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 100 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 24th day of July 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-17474 Filed 7-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P