98-6922. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13162-13163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6922]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-010-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection that is used to evaluate the plant pest risk posed by the 
introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 18, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 98-010-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and 
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-010-
1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South 
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. 
Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call

[[Page 13163]]

ahead on [phone] to facilitate entry into the comment reading 
room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding regulations 
for the introduction of genetically engineered organisms and products 
which are plant pests or which there is reason to believe are plant 
pests, contact Arnold Foudin, Assistant Director, Scientific Services, 
PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 146, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 
734-7612. For copies of more detailed information on the information 
collection, contact Gregg Ramsey, APHIS' Information Collection 
Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced 
Through Genetic Engineering Which are Plant Pests or Which There is 
Reason to Believe are Plant Pests.
    OMB Number: 0579-0085.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among 
other things, preventing the introduction or dissemination of plant 
pests into or through the United States.
    As part of that responsibility, APHIS regulates the introduction 
(importation, interstate movement, and release into the environment) of 
organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering 
that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant 
pests.
    In administering the regulations, APHIS collects certain 
information through its permitting and notification processes. That 
information is collected to enable APHIS to evaluate the plant pest 
risk posed by the introduction of certain genetically engineered 
organisms and products.
    The information we seek with our notification and permit process 
includes, among other things, a complete description of the organism or 
product, the safeguards that will be used in preventing escape, the 
destination or field test locations, and field test results that 
describe any unusual or harmful occurrences.
    Without the information we obtain through our notification and 
permit application process, we would be unable to evaluate the plant 
pest risk posed by the introduction of certain genetically engineered 
organisms and products.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the continued use of these information collection activities.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection 
activity. We need this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 
proposed 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 0.8434 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. importers and shippers of genetically engineered 
organisms and products; agricultural companies that develop or test 
genetically engineered organisms or products; and members of the 
publicly-funded research community.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 150.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 33.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 4,950.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 4,175 hours. (Due to 
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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 11th day of March 1998.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6922 Filed 3-17-98; 8:45 am]
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