E8-1511. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 24, 2008.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Fruits and Vegetables.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0128.

Summary of Collection: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) (PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. The authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations to implement the PPA.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the collected information on the Phytosanitary Certificate, to determine the pest condition of the shipment at the time of inspection in the foreign country. Under Section 319.56-2(g) states, in part, that boxes of fruit imported into the United States must be clearly labeled with the name of the orchard or grove of origin, or the name of the grower, and the name of the municipality and State in which it was produced; and the type and amount of fruit it contains. The information is also used as a guide to the intensity of the inspection that is conducted when the shipment arrives. Without the information, the effectiveness of APHIS import regulations would be severely compromised.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Federal Government.

Number of Respondents: 191.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 883.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.