05-10207. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 18, 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 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 & Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Poultry Meat and Other Poultry Products from Sinaloa and Sonora, Mexico.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0144.

Summary of Collection: Veterinary Services, a division within USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is responsible for administering regulations intended to prevent the introduction of animal diseases, such as exotic Newcastle disease into the United States. APHIS currently has regulations in place that restrict the importation of poultry meat and other poultry products from Mexico due to the presence of exotic Newcastle disease in the country. However, APHIS does allow the importation of poultry meat and poultry products from the Mexican States of Sinaloa and Sonora because APHIS has determined that poultry meat and products from these two Mexican States pose a negligible risk of introducing exotic Newcastle disease into the United States. To ensure that these items are safe for importation, APHIS requires that certain data appear on the foreign meat inspection certificate that accompanies the poultry meat and other poultry products from Sinaloa and Sonora to the United States. APHIS also requires that serial numbered seals be applied to containers carrying the poultry meat and other poultry products.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to certify that the poultry meat or other poultry products were (1) derived from poultry born and raised in commercial breeding establishments in Sinaloa and Sonora; (2) derived from poultry that were slaughtered in Sinaloa or Sonora in a Federally-inspected slaughter plant approved to export these commodities to the united States in accordance with Food Safety & Inspection regulations; (3) processed at a Federally inspected processing plant in Sinaloa or Sonora; and (4) kept out of contact with poultry from any other State within Mexico. APHIS will also collect information to ensure that the poultry meat or poultry products from Sinaloa and Sonora pose the most negligible risk possible for introducing exotic Newcastle disease into the United States.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government

Number of Respondents: 10.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 40.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.