2019-17467. Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Irradiation Phytosanitary Treatment of Imported Fruits and Vegetables  

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    AGENCY:

    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

    ACTION:

    Revision to and 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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment of imported fruits and vegetables.

    DATES:

    We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 15, 2019.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2019-0041 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 (202) 799-7039 before coming.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    For information regarding the regulations for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment of imported fruits and vegetables, contact Ms. Kara Spofford, Offshore Certification Specialist, PPQ Preclearance and Offshore Programs, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-2241. For more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Irradiation Phytosanitary Treatment of Imported Fruits and Vegetables.

    OMB Control Number: 0579-0155.

    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection.

    Abstract: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to regulate the importation of plants, plant products (including fruits and vegetables), and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests and noxious weeds into the United States.

    Regulations governing the importation of fruits and vegetables are set out in “Subpart L-Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-12). In accordance with these regulations, some fruits and vegetables from certain regions of the world must be treated for pests in order to be eligible for entry into the United States. The regulations in 7 CFR part 305 provide, among other things, for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for some fruits and vegetables imported into the United States. Irradiation treatment provides protection against all insect pests, except adults and pupae of the order Lepidoptera. Irradiation treatment may be used as an alternative to other approved treatments for pests in fruits and vegetables, such as fumigation, cold treatment, heat treatment, and other techniques.

    The regulations concerning irradiation treatment involve the collection of information such as a compliance agreement, dosimetry agreement at the irradiation facility, request for dosimetry device approval, 30-day notification, labeling and packaging, recordkeeping, request for certification and inspection of facility, irradiation treatment workplan, facility preclearance workplan, trust fund agreement, phytosanitary certificate, denial and withdrawal of certification, and limited permit.

    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.038 hours per response.

    Respondents: National plant protection organizations of exporting countries, irradiation facility operators, Start Printed Page 40384and U.S. importers of fruits and vegetables.

    Estimated annual number of respondents: 43.

    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 483.

    Estimated annual number of responses: 20,774.

    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 805 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.

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    Done in Washington, DC, this 8th day of August 2019.

    Michael Watson,

    Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

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    [FR Doc. 2019-17467 Filed 8-13-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Document Information

Published:
08/14/2019
Department:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
Document Number:
2019-17467
Dates:
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 15, 2019.
Pages:
40383-40384 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. APHIS-2019-0041
PDF File:
2019-17467.Pdf