2013-23193. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm

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 regulations for the importation of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is considered to exist.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2013-0065-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0065, 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-2013-0065 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 horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is considered to exist, contact Dr. Ellen Buck, Equine Import Specialist, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, 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 Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm.

OMB Number: 0579-0165.

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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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.

The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals into the United States to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases of livestock and poultry. Subparts C, D, E, and F of part 93 govern the importation of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs, respectively, and include provisions for the inspection and treatment of these animals if imported from any region of the world where screwworm is considered to exist. Screwworm is a pest native to tropical areas of South America, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, tropical and sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. Screwworm causes extensive damage to livestock and other warmblooded animals.

The regulations in subparts C, D, E, and F involve the use of two information collection activities. One information collection activity includes a USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) Application for Import or In Transit Permit (Animals, Animal Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs) (VS Form 17-129) for horses, ruminants, and swine. The second information collection activity includes a certificate for horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official of the exporting region stating that the animal has been inspected, under certain conditions, and found free of screwworm and, as appropriate, that the animal was treated for screwworm.

Since the last approval of these collection activities, APHIS has adjusted the number of responses. We have increased the number of responses to reflect the number of health certificates that are presented for dogs. APHIS does not track the number of health certificates presented for dogs; however, we increased our estimate from 2 to 50 by counting the number of inquiries from individuals interested in importing dogs from areas where screwworm exists. We have also increased the number of responses for completion of health certificates for horses from 99 to 1,650, because the number of responses per respondent has increased from 3 to 50. The number of importers of horses has remained the same, but the number of responses per importer has been updated to accurately reflect the number of health certificates for horses that are presented. APHIS tracks the number of health certificates presented for horses.

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 0.05 hours per response.

Respondents: Full-timed salaried veterinary officials of exporting regions and importers of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions where screwworm is considered to exist.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 91.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 21.31.

Estimated annual number of responses: 1,939.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 97 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 18th day of September 2013.

Michael C. Gregoire,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.