05-12778. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 23, 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 and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Poultry and Pork Products Transiting the United States.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0145.

Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for controlling and eliminating domestic animal diseases such as brucellosis and scrapie, as well as preventing the introduction of exotic animal diseases such as hog cholera, exotic Newcastle disease (END) and other foreign diseases. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and enhancing the United States' ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products. The regulations under which APHIS conducts disease prevention activities are contained in title 9, chapter D, parts 91 through 99 of the Code of Federal Regulations. APHIS has determined that fresh pork and pork products, as well as poultry carcasses, parts and products from Mexican States can transit the United States with minimal risk of introducing hog cholera or END. Allowing fresh pork and pork products as well as poultry carcasses, parts, and products from certain Mexican States to transit the United States necessitates the use of several information collection activities, which include the completion of an import permit application, the placement of serial numbered seals on product containers, and the forwarding of a written, pre-arrival notification to APHIS port personnel.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to ensure that fresh pork and pork products, as well as poultry carcasses, parts, and products transiting the United States from Mexico pose a negligible risk of introducing hog cholera and END into the United States. APHIS will also collect the name, address of the exporter, the origin and destination points of entry, the date of transportation, the method and route of shipment, the time and date the items are expected to arrive at the port, how long the items are expected to be in the United States, the permit number of the shipment, and the serial numbers of the seals on the shipment containers. If the information is not collected, it would make disease incursion event much more likely, with potentially devastating affects on the U.S. swine and poultry industries.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; farm; individual or households; not-for-profit institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 75.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 600.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: ISA Payment of Indemnity.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0192.

Summary of Collection: Federal regulation contained in 9 CFR Subchapter B governs cooperative programs to control and eradicate communicable diseases of livestock from the United States. Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) poses a substantial threat to the economic viability and sustainability of salmon aquaculture in the United States and abroad. ISA is the clinical disease resulting from infection with the ISA virus; signs include hemorrhaging, anemia, and lethargy. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect information using VS Form 1-22 ISA Program Enrollment Form and VS Form 1-23 All Species Appraisal & Indemnity Claim Form.

Need and Use of the Information: Each program participant must sign an ISA Program Enrollment Form in which they agree to participate fully in USDA's and the State of Maine's ISA Program. APHIS will collect the owner's name and address, the number of fish for which the owner is seeking payment, and the appraised value of each fish. The owner must also certify as to whether the fish are subject to a mortgage. Without the information it would be impossible for APHIS to launch its program to contain and prevent ISA outbreaks in the United States.

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

Number of Respondents: 200.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 5,600.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Prohibition on Importation of Farm Equipment.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0195.

Summary of Collection: Regulations contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98 prohibits the importation of used farm equipment into the United States from regions in which foot-and-mouth disease or rinderpest exist, unless the equipment has been stream-cleaned prior to export to the United States so that it is free of exposed dirt and other particulate matter. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and enhancing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information through the use of a certification statement in which the exporter states that the cleaning of the equipment has been done. This is necessary to help prevent the introduction of food-and-mouth disease into the United States. If the information were not collected APHIS would be forced to discontinue the importation of any used farm equipment from FMD regions, a development that could have a damaging financial impact on exporters and importers of this equipment.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 2,000.

Ruth Brown

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.