Rules and Regulations. Extension of and revision to an approval of an information collection; comment request

Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
Action: Extension of and revision to an approval of an information collection; comment request
Citation: 77 FR (No. 113) · FR Doc. 2012-14300 · Docket No. APHIS-2012-0043

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 an extension to and revision of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of wooden handicrafts from China.

Dates

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 13, 2012.

Supplementary Information

Title: Importation of Wooden Handicrafts from China. OMB Number: 0579-0357. Type of Request: Extension of and revision to an approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. ) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 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. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of wooden handicrafts from China are contained in “Subpart-Logs, Lumber, and Other Unmanufactured Wood Articles” (7 CFR 319.40-1 through 319.40-11). On March 1, 2012, we published a final rule 1 that amended the regulations to provide for the importation of wooden handicrafts from China under certain conditions. This action allows for trade in Chinese wooden handicrafts to resume while protecting the United States against the introduction of certain plant pests. 1 To view the final rule, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2007-0117 . In response to comments submitted, the final rule did not include a provision that we had proposed that would have required Chinese exporters to complete a phytosanitary certificate. Therefore, the only burden associated with the import of Chinese wooden handicrafts is the identification tagging of packages. 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 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 0.002 hours per response. Respondents: Chinese exporters. Estimated annual number of respondents: 140. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2,250. Estimated annual number of responses: 315,000. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 630 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 6th day of June 2012. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2012-14300 Filed 6-11-12; 8:45 am]