Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Live Poultry, Poultry Meat, and Other Poultry Products From Specified Regions

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 approval of an extension to an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from specified regions.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0016-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0016, 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-2012-0016 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 (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the importation of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from specified regions into the United States, contact Dr. Magde Elshafie, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade Services—Animal Products, NCIE, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3332. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Importation of Live Poultry, Poultry Meat, and Other Poultry Products from Specified Regions.

OMB Number: 0579-0228.

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

Abstract: Under the authority of 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 the mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal products into the United States. The regulations are contained in title 9, parts 92 through 98, of the Code of Federal Regulations.

In part 94, § 94.26 allows the importation, subject to certain conditions, of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from certain regions, including Argentina and the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan, that are free of exotic Newcastle disease (END). The conditions for importation require, among other things, certification from a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region that poultry and poultry products exported from one of these regions originated in that region (or in another region recognized by APHIS as free of END) and that before the export to the United States, the poultry and poultry products were not commingled with poultry and poultry products from regions where END exists.

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 1 hour per response.

Respondents: Federal animal health authorities of certain regions that export live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products; importers.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 11.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 19.272727.

Estimated annual number of responses: 212.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 212 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.