2017-27249. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 14, 2017.

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 are requested regarding (1) 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) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 January 18, 2018 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: Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements and Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0186.

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701- et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants and plant products to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Black stem rust is one of the most destructive plant diseases of small grains that are known to exist in the United States. The disease is caused by a fungus that reduces the quality and yield of infected wheat, oat, barley, and rye crops by robbing host plants of food and water.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to prevent the spread of black stem rust by providing for and requiring the accurate identification of rust-resistant varieties by inspectors. Businesses that request APHIS to add a variety to the list of rust-resistant barberries, need to provide APHIS with a written description and color pictures that can be used by the State nursery inspectors to clearly identify the variety and distinguish it from other varieties. This action enables nurseries to move the species into and through protected areas and to propagate and sell the species in States or parts of States designated as protected areas.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 4.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 32.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Pine Shoot Beetle Host Material from Canada.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0257.

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701-7772), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants and plant pests to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. The Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) foreign quarantine regulations restrict the importation of pine shoot beetle host material into the United States from Canada. Pine shoot beetle (PSB) is a pest of pine trees. It can cause damage in weak and dying trees where reproductive and immature stages of PSB occur, and in the new growth of healthy trees. PSB can damage urban ornamental trees and can cause economic losses to the timber, Christmas trees, and nursery industries.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the information using Compliance Agreements (and information collected from any appeal process of the agreement), Importer Document (written statement), Appeal of Compliance and Canadian Phytosanitary Certificates to protect the United States from the introduction of pine shoot beetle and other plant diseases.

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

Number of Respondents: 21.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 91.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Fresh Mangoes from Jamaica into the Continental United States.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0419.

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701, et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants, and plant pests to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. The regulations in “Subpart-Fruit and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56-77, referred to as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States. In accordance with § 319.56-71, mangoes may be imported from Jamaica into the continental United States under certain conditions to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the following information collection activities to support the importation of mangoes from Jamaica: (1) Operational Workplan; (2) Production Site Registration; (3) Pest Detection Investigation; (4) Heat Treatment Certified Facility; (5) Heat Treatment Monitoring and Inspections; (6) Trust Fund Agreement; (7) Phytosanitary Certificate w/additional Declaration; (8) Inspection; and (9) Emergency Action Notification. Failure to collect this information would cripple APHIS' ability to ensure that mangoes from Jamaica are not carrying plant pests.

Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit; Foreign Federal Government.

Number of Respondents: 5.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 427.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Fresh Blueberry Fruit from Morocco into the Continental United States.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0421.

Summary of Collection: 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 within the United States to prevent the introduction of plant pests or their dissemination. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Program enforces the Act by regulating the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States. These regulations are found in Section 319 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-80). Under § 319.56-69, fresh fruit of highbrush blueberries (Vaccinium coymbosum L. and hybrid varieties V. corymbosum x angustifolium (V. x atlanticum and V. corymbosum x virgatum)) from Morocco may be imported into the continental United States under certain conditions that prevent the introduction of plant pests Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) and fungus Monilinia fructigena (Honey ex Whetzel) into the country.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use information collection activities and actions to ensure these conditions are met. These activities include registering production sites, inspecting crops, performing remedial actions, obtaining foreign phytosanitary certificates with declarations, and submitting applications for permits and appeals if denied. Activities also include submitting notices of arrival and responding to emergency action notifications. These activities for this commodity are the minimum necessary to protect crops and the agriculture industry from dangerous foreign plant pests and diseases.

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

Number of Respondents: 15.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 82.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.