2010-2713. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 3, 2010.

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 and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Products of Poultry and Birds.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0141.

Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of the health of animals under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulatory authority. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, and Sections 10401-18 of Public Law 107-171, dated May 13, 2002, and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The regulations under which disease prevention activities are contained are in Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, and Parts 91 through 99 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to allow poultry meat that originates in the United States to be shipped, for processing purposes, to a region where exotic Newcastle disease exists, and then returned to the United States. The process entails the use of five information collection activities in the form of a certificate of origin that must be issued, including serial numbers that must be recorded, records that must be maintained, and cooperative service agreements that must be signed and an application for Permit, VS 17-129.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to ensure that imported poultry carcasses pose a negligible risk of introducing END into the United States.

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

Number of Respondents: 4.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 8.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0313.

Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301-8317) provides the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to prohibit or restrict the importation or entry of any animal, article, or means of conveyance, if determined that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into or spread within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations in subpart C of part 93, on the importation of horses include requirements for the approval and establishment of permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities that are operated under APHIS supervision. These regulations necessitate the use of several information collection activities when applicants apply for approval to establish and operate permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the following information: (1) Environment Certification, (2) Application for Facility Approval, (3) Service Agreements, (4) Letter Challenging Withdrawal for Facility Approval, (5) Letter Notifying APHIS of Facility Closure, (6) Compliance Agreement, (7) Security Instructions, (8) Alarm Notification, (9) Security Breach, (10) List of Personnel, (11) Signed Statements, (12) Daily Log, and (13) Request for Variance.

Without the information APHIS would be unable to approve permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities.

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

Number of Respondents: 11.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 21.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.