E6-13722. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Mangoes From the Philippines  

  • Start Preamble

    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 mangoes from the Republic of the Philippines.

    DATES:

    We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 20, 2006.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0101 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link.
    • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0101, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0101.

    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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) 690-2817 before coming.

    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    For information regarding regulations for the importation of mangoes from the Philippines, contact Mr. Alex Belano, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdal,e MD 20732-1231; (301) 734-5333. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Importation of Mangoes from the Philippines.

    OMB Number: 0579-0172.

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

    Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) (PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations to implement the PPA.

    The regulations in “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables,” 7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56-8, prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests.

    Under these regulations, mangoes from Guimaras Island in the Republic of the Philippines are subject to certain conditions before entering the United States to ensure that plant pests are not introduced into the United States. The regulations require the use of information collection activities including box labeling, phytosanitary certificates, and trust fund agreements.

    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (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 0.0662 hours per response.

    Respondents: Philippine plant protection officials; mango producers and packinghouses on Guimaras Island, Philippines.

    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,827.

    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,827.

    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 121 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual Start Printed Page 48531number 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.

    Start Signature

    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of August 2006.

    Nick Gutierrez,

    Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. E6-13722 Filed 8-18-06; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Published:
08/21/2006
Department:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
Document Number:
E6-13722
Dates:
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 20, 2006.
Pages:
48530-48531 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. APHIS-2006-0101
PDF File:
E6-13722.Pdf