2014-27861. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 19, 2014.

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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by December 26, 2014 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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:7 CFR 340; Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0085.

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7703 et seq.) the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, If the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction or the dissemination of a plant pest into the United States. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is charged with preventing the introduction of plant pest into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. The statutory requirements for the information collection activity are found in the PPA. The regulations in 7 CFR part 340 implement the provisions of the PPA by providing the information necessary to establish conditions for proposed introductions of certain genetically engineered organisms and products which present a risk of plant pest introduction. APHIS will collect information using several APHIS forms.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the information through a notification procedure or a permit requirement to ensure that certain genetically engineered organisms, when imported, moved interstate, or released into the environment, will not present a risk of plant pest introduction. The information collected through the petition process is used to determine whether a genetically engineered organism will pose a risk to agriculture or the environment if grown in the absence of regulations by APHIS. The information is also provided to State departments of agriculture for review, and made available to the public and private sectors on the Internet to ensure that all sectors are kept informed concerning any potential risks posed through the use of genetic engineering technology.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 121.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 3,308.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.