2023-16619. Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; U.S. Origin Health Certificate

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 the export of animals and animal products from the United States.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–2023–0053 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2023–0053, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room which is located in Room 1620 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the export of animals and animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Mark Remick, National Director, Veterinary Export Trade Services, Field Operations, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. You may also contact Dr. Timothy Rector, Acting Director, Port Services, Field Operations, VS, APHIS; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. For more information on the information collection reporting process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: U.S. Origin Health Certificate.

OMB Control Number: 0579–0020.

Type of Request: Revision to and 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other things, has the authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict the import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing APHIS' ability to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade. The export of agricultural commodities, including animals and animal products, is a major business in the United States and contributes to a favorable balance of trade. As part of its mission to facilitate the export of U.S. animals and products, APHIS' Veterinary Services maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other countries for animals and animal products exported from the United States.

Among other things, to ensure a favorable balance of trade, APHIS uses information collection activities, such as U.S. Origin Health Certificates; U.S. Origin Health Certificates for the Export of Horses from the United States to Canada; Health Certificates for the Export of Live Finfish, Mollusks, and Crustaceans (and their Gametes); Country Specific Health Certificates; United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals (Exporters); Inspection and Certification for Animal Products; Undue Hardship Explanations-Animals; Applications for Approval of Inspection Facility-Environmental Certification; Annual Inspections of Export Inspection Facilities; Opportunities to Present Views Concerning Withdrawal of Facility Approval; Certifications to Carry Livestock; Inspections of Vessel Prior to Voyage; Notarized Statements; Aircraft Cleaning and Disinfection; and Travel Time.

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 1.05 hours per response.

Respondents: Owners and operators of livestock facilities/exporters, accredited veterinarians, and owners or masters of an ocean vessel.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,320.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 372.

Estimated annual number of responses: 491,678.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 516,556 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 31st day of July 2023.

Michael Watson,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.