2012-2709. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Requirements for Recognizing the Animal Health Status of Foreign Regions

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for recognizing the animal health status of foreign regions.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2011-0121-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2011-0121, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2011-0121 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call [phone] before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on regulations for recognizing the animal health status of foreign regions, contact Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Officer, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Requirements for Recognizing the Animal Health Status of Foreign Regions.

OMB Number: 0579-0219.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests. Regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products into the United States are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98.

The regulations in 9 CFR part 92, “Importation of Animals and Animal Products: Procedures for Requesting Recognition of Regions,” set out the process by which a foreign government may request recognition of the animal health status of a region or approval to export animals or animal products to the United States based on the risk associated with animals or animal products from that region. Each request must include information about the region, including information on the veterinary services organization of the region; the extent to which movement of animals and animal products is controlled from regions of higher risk and the level of biosecurity for such movements; livestock demographics and marketing practices in the region; diagnostic laboratory capabilities in the region; and the region's policies and infrastructure for animal disease control. Additionally, we require regions that have been granted status under the regulations to provide information, or allow us to access information, to confirm the regions' animal health status when we request it. The types of information collected will vary based on the information required to adequately assess a region's animal health status.

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 40 hours per response.

Respondents: Foreign animal health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 3.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 3.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 120 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 1st day of February 2012.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.