2013-15002. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

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 the export of animal products from the United States.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 23, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2013-0040-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0040, 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-2013-0040 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 the export of animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Eric Coleman, Assistant Director for Export Products, Export Products, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.

OMB Number: 0579-0256.

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

Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including animals and animal products, is a major business in the United States and contributes to a favorable balance of trade. To facilitate the export of U.S. animals and products, U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other countries for animals and animal products exported from the United States. The regulations for export certification of animals and animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 91 and 156.

Many countries that import animal products from the United States require a certification from APHIS that the United States is free of certain diseases. These countries may also require that our certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the U.S. animal products being exported. This certification must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative (e.g., a Veterinary Medical Officer). The certification process involves the use of information collection activities, including an Export Health Certificate for Animal Products Form/Continuation Sheet (Veterinary Services (VS) Forms 16-4/16-4A), and if a certificate is denied or withdrawn by VS, an exporter can request a hearing to appeal VS' decision.

These information collection activities were previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with an estimated total annual burden on respondents of 66,266 hours and an estimated annual number of responses of 133,652. Due to the increase in exports in response to market forces, the number of respondents has increased to 42,000, which has also increased the estimated annual number of responses to 178,502. However, we have decreased the estimated total annual burden on respondents from 66,266 hours to 57,122 hours because respondents indicated that the time needed to complete VS Form 16-4 was less than our previous estimate.

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 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 0.32 hours per response.

Respondents: Exporters of U.S. animal products.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 42,000.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.25.

Estimated annual number of responses: 178,502.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 57,122 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 19th day of June 2013.

Kevin Shea,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.