2012-20739. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Swine Hides, Bird Trophies, and Deer Hides

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 importation of swine hides, bird trophies, and deer hides.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2012-0056-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0056, 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-2012-0056 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 regulations for the importation of swine hides, bird trophies, and deer hides, contact Dr. Tracye Butler, Assistant Director, NCIE, 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: Importation of Swine Hides, Bird Trophies, and Deer Hides.

OMB Number: 0579-0307.

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

Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases and pests. To carry out this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal products into the United States. The regulations are contained in title 9, parts 91 through 99, of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The regulations in 9 CFR part 95 (referred to below as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animal products into the United States to prevent the introduction into the U.S. livestock population of certain contagious animal diseases. Section 95.5 of the regulations contains, among other things, specific processing, recordkeeping, and certification requirements for untanned hides and skins and bird trophies.

The regulations require that shipments of hides be accompanied by certificates showing their origin and certifying that the hides are from areas free of certain animal diseases. Shipments of ruminant hides from Mexico must be accompanied by written statements indicating that the hides were frozen for 24 hours and treated for ticks. Shipments of bird trophies must be accompanied by certificates of origin certifying that the trophies are from regions free of exotic Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza. These activities help ensure that the products do not harbor disease or ticks.

We have increased the estimated annual burden after reviewing the regulations and current data. When comparing the regulations with the information collection activities, we found that the reporting of certificates for hides and skins from certain regions was omitted from past information collections.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for 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 0.1997 hours per response.

Respondents: Federal animal health authorities in certain regions and foreign exporters of certain animal byproducts.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 191.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.7225.

Estimated annual number of responses: 711.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 142 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 17th day of August 2012.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.