Notices. Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request
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/register/2011/12/16/2011-32312·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2011-0109] Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Health Certificates for the 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. 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 health certificates for the export of live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and related products and to request extension of approval of the information collection.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 14, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • *Federal eRulemaking Portal:* Go to *http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0109-0001.* • *Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:* Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2011-0109, 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-2011-0109* 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)690-2817 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on health certificates for the export of live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and related products, contact Dr. Christa Speekmann, Import/Export Specialist-Aquaculture, Technical Trade Services Team, NCIE, 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)851-2908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Health Certificates for the Export of Live Crustaceans, Finfish, Mollusks, and Related Products. *OMB Number:* 0579-0278. *Type of Request:* Revision and 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 maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other countries for animals and animal products exported from the United States. Many countries that import animals 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. U.S. trading partners are increasing import requirements, which must be addressed using one of the three Veterinary Services export health certificates or country specific export health certificates. The current collection includes VS Form 17-141, and we are revising the collection to add VS Form 17-140 and APHIS Form 7001. The certificates are completed by an accredited veterinarian and must be signed by the accredited veterinarian who inspects the animals prior to their departure from the United States, and endorsed by APHIS. 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 1.5 hours per response. *Respondents:* Accredited veterinarians who complete the health certificates and producers who provide information for the health certificates to the accredited veterinarians. *Estimated annual number of respondents:* 69. *Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:* 24.63768116. *Estimated annual number of responses:* 1,700. *Estimated total annual burden on respondents:* 2,550 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 12th day of December 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011-32312 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]