2021-18920. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; African Swine Fever; Importation of Live Dogs for Resale From Regions Where African Swine Fever Exists or Is Reasonably Believed To Exist

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 live dogs for resale from regions where African swine fever exists or is reasonably believed to exist.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2021-0054 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-2021-0054, 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 www.regulations.gov or in our reading room 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 [phone] before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the activities within this information collection request, contact Dr. MaryKate Anderson, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Live Animal Imports and Exports, Strategy and Policy, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone: [phone]; [e-mail]. For more detailed information on the information collection reporting process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at [phone]; [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: African Swine Fever; Importation of Live Dogs for Resale From Regions Where African Swine Fever Exists or is Reasonably Believed to Exist.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0478.

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 Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized to protect the health of the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations in the United States by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, and for eradicating such diseases and pests from the United States, when feasible. Within the USDA, this authority and mission is delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Within APHIS, Veterinary Services is tasked with, among other things, preventing foreign animal disease outbreaks in the United States, and monitoring, controlling, and eliminating a disease outbreak should one occur. In the past several years, there have been significant worldwide outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and feral (wild) pigs. The disease has not been detected in the United States; however, APHIS is committed to working with State and industry partners to keep the disease out of the country.

APHIS has determined that dogs imported from ASF-affected countries for resale purposes, along with their bedding, represent a possible pathway for the introduction of disease. To block this pathway, APHIS issued a Federal Order (DA-2021-01) ^[1] imposing several restrictions on the importation of dogs for resale from regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist. Importers will need to verify that they have met these restrictions by completing and submitting a Dog Import Record that will record information regarding the dogs' characteristics, identification, origin, entry into the United States, disposition of their bedding and packing material, and confirmation of bathing.

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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response.

Respondents: Importers and animal breeders.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 200.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.

Estimated annual number of responses: 1,800.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 900 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 25th day of August 2021.

Michael Watson,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Footnotes

1.  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/​import_​export/​downloads/​vs-federal-order-asf.pdf.