E6-19963. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 20, 2006.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

Title: Irradiation Phytosanitary Treatment for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0155.

Summary of Collection: The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701-7772) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the importation of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of injurious plant pests and noxious weeds. Regulations in 7 CFR part 305 provide for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for certain fruits and vegetables imported in the United States. The irradiation treatment provides protection against 11 species of fruit flies and mango seed weevil.

Need and Use of the Information: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect information using a compliance agreement, 30-day notification, labeling requirements, dosimetry recordings, requests for dosimetry device approval, recordkeeping, requests for facility approval. Without the collection of this information, APHIS would have no practical way of determining that any given commodity had actually been irradiated.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; individuals or households; farms.

Number of Respondents: 25.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 760.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Federal Plant Pest and Noxious Weeds Regulations.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0054.

Summary of Collection: The Plant Protection and Quarantine Program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for preventing plant pests and noxious weeds from entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests and weeds not widely distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported pests and weeds when eradication is feasible. APHIS will collect information using several forms.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to evaluate the risk associated with the proposed movement of plant pest, noxious weeds, and soil. APHIS will also collect information to monitor operations at facility to ensure permit conditions are being met. The information is used to determine whether a permit can be issued, and also to develop risk-mitigating conditions for the proposed movement. If the information were not collected, APHIS ability to protect the United States from a plant pest or noxious weed incursion would be significantly compromised.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 55,816.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 48,435.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.