05-2278. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 2, 2005.

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 Mangement 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 and Plant 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: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is charged with preventing the introduction into, and dissemination and establishment of plant pests in the United States. The statutory requirements for the information collection activity are found in the Plant Pest Act (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 intstitutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 97.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 2,676.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Export Certification, Accreditation of Non-Government Facilities.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0130.

Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture is responsible for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United States, as well as the spread of pests not widely distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported when eradication is feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal Pest Act authorize the Department to carry out this mission. The regulations in 7 CFR part 353 allow non-government facilities (such as commercial laboratories and private inspection services) to be accredited by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to perform specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspections that could serve as the basis for issuing Federal phytosanitary certificates, phytosanitary certificates for reexport, or export certificates for processed plant products. APHIS provides export certification services to assure other countries that the plants and plant products they are receiving from the United States are free of plant diseases and insect pests.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information for applications submitted by operator/owner of a non-government facility seeking accreditation to conduct laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspection. The application should contain the legal name and full address of the facility, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the facility's operator, a description of the facility, and a description of the specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspection services for which the facility is seeking accreditation. If the activities are not conducted properly, APHIS export certification program would be compromised, causing a disruption in plant and plant product exports that could prove financially damaging to U.S. exporters.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.

Number of Respondents: 15.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 315.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.