2016-14079. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork Products, and Swine Semen From the European Union

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 intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen from the European Union.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2016-0037.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2016-0037, 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-2016-0037 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 regarding the regulations for the importation of live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen from the European Union, contact Dr. Lynette Williams, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Products, NIES, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork Products, and Swine Semen from the European Union.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0218.

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

Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, 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 livestock diseases and pests. To carry out this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal products into the United States.

The regulations in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR), part 94, prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of diseases such as classical swine fever (CSF), rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, and African swine fever. Among other things, part 94 lists the requirements for the importation of pork and pork products and live swine where these diseases exist. Section 94.31 lists the requirements for the importation of pork, pork products, and breeding swine from the European Union (“the APHIS-defined European CSF region”). Section 98.38 lists the requirements for the importation of swine semen from the APHIS-defined European CSF region.

These regulations require information collection activities, such as a certificate for pork and pork products, breeding swine, and swine semen; application for import or in-transit permit; and declaration of importation.

The activities above were previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under collections 0579-0218 and 0579-0265. In our last extension of approval, we announced that we were combining the two collections and retiring 0579-0265. When we combined the collections, we did not accurately adjust the estimated burden. In addition, we have increased the estimates of burden to reflect the increased consumer demand for pork and pork products and to account for the return of the declaration of importation to APHIS from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We have adjusted the estimates of burden accordingly.

We are asking 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 this 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 1 hour per response.

Respondents: Foreign government animal health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 21.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 20,951.

Estimated annual number of responses: 439,976.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 440,374 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 8th day of June 2016.

Kevin Shea,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.