2023-17242. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 are requested regarding; 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by September 11, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

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: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, All Subtypes, and Newcastle Disease; Additional Restrictions.

OMB Control Number: 0579–0245.

Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA), 7 U.S.C 8301, is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The agency is charged with carrying out this disease prevention mission is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), through its Veterinary Services (VS) Program. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle Disease are extremely infectious and often fatal disease affecting all types of birds and poultry.

Need and Use of the Information: To protect the United States against an incursion of HPAI and Newcastle Disease, APHIS requires the use of several information collection activities, including an USDA–APHIS–VS Application For Permit To Import or Transport Controlled Materials or Organisms or Vectors (VS Form 16–3); a United States Veterinary Permit for Importation and Transportation of Controlled Materials and Organisms and Vectors (VS Form 16–6A); an Approved Warehouse Request And Agreement To Handle Restricted Animal Byproducts (Hunting Trophies & Museum Specimens) (VS Form 16–28); an Agreement for Handling Restricted Imports of Animal Byproducts and Controlled Materials (VS Form 16–29); a Report of Entry, Shipment of Restricted Imported Animal Products and Animal Byproducts and Other Material (VS Form 16–78); a USDA–APHIS–VS Application for Import (VS Form 17–129); an application of seals to shipping containers; recordkeeping by processing establishments; cooperative service agreements; notification of signs of disease in a recently imported bird allowed to enter home quarantine; certificates for eggs from ND regions; government seals; veterinary health certificates; notices of arrive-live animals; and notices of transfer-animal products. APHIS will collect information to ensure that U.S. birds and poultry undergo appropriate examinations before entering the United States. Without the information, it would be impossible for APHIS to establish an effective line of defense against an introduction of HPAI and Newcastle Disease.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government.

Number of Respondents: 936.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting and Recordkeeping: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,814.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.