Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 4894-4895 [2024-01421]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4894-4895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01421]



[[Page 4894]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    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 
are requested regarding; 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; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by February 
26, 2024 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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 and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0256.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 
2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal 
health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture board authority to 
detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or 
poultry. 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. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services 
maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other 
countries for animals and animal products exported from the United 
States. Many countries that import animal products from the United 
States require a certification from APHIS that the United States is 
free of certain diseases. These countries may also require that our 
certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the 
U.S. animal products being exported. Regulations pertaining to export 
certification of animals and animal products are contained in 9 CFR 
part 91. VS forms 16-4 and VS 16-4A, Export Certificate for Animal 
Products and Export Certificate for Animal Products Continuation Sheet; 
a hearing request to appeal VS' decision to refuse to grant a 
certificate; a notification of tampered certificate; and letterhead 
certification can be used to meet these requirements.
    Need and Use of the Information: VS forms 16-4 and 16-4A serve as 
the official certification that the United States is free of 
rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, swine 
vesicular disease, African swine fever, bovine fever, bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy, and contagious bovine pleuropneuomia. APHIS will 
collect the exporter's name, address, the name and address of the 
consignee, the quantity, and unit of measure, type of product being 
exported, the exporter's identification, and type of conveyance (ship, 
train, and truck) that will transport the products. The form also asks 
for any declarations the receiving country might require such as 
statements concerning where the product originated and how it was 
processed. Without the information, many countries would not accept 
animal products from the United States, creating a serious trade 
imbalance and adversely affecting U.S. exporters.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other-for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 32,687.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 58,165.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Phytophthora Ramorum; Quarantine and Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0310.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture, either independently or in 
cooperation with the States, is authorized to carry out operations or 
measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard 
the spread of plant pest new to the United States or not widely 
distributed throughout the United States. Under ``Subpart X--
Phytophthora Ramorum'' (7 CFR 301.92 through 301.92-12, referred to as 
the regulation), USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) restricts the interstate movement of certain regulated and 
restricted articles from quarantined areas and regulated establishments 
to prevent the artificial spread of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen 
that causes the plant disease commonly known as sudden oak death, 
ramorum left blight, and ramorum dieback.
    Need and Use of the Information: To control the spread of P. 
ramorum, APHIS enters enter compliance agreements with State plant 
health agencies and businesses, conducts inspections and certifications 
of facilities and records, and requires plant testing. It also issues 
emergency action notifications.
    Without these activities, P. ramorum would potentially spread 
spread to unaffected forests, adversely impacting the ecosystem 
balances, foreign/domestic nursery stocks, and lumber markets.
    Description of Respondents: State plant health officials; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 100.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Recordkeeping: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 259.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Johne's Disease in Domestic Animals.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0338.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 is 
the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The 
law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, 
control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The 
regulations in 9 CFR part 80 pertain specifically to the interstate 
movement of domestic animals that are positive to an official test for 
Johne's disease. These regulations provide that cattle, sheep, goats, 
and other domestic animals that are positive to an official test for 
Johne's disease may generally be moved interstate only to a recognized 
slaughtering establishment or to an approved livestock facility for 
sale to such an establishment. However, they may also be moved for 
purposes other

[[Page 4895]]

than slaughter under certain conditions. Moving Johne's-positive 
livestock interstate for slaughter or for other purposes without 
increasing the risk of disease spread requires a movement permit or an 
owner-shipper statement, official ear tags, and a permission to move 
request. Permission may also be sought, in writing, for movement of 
animals that do not have a permit, owner-shipper statement, or ear 
tags.
    Need and Use of the Information: Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) will collect information using form VS Form 1-27, 
Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals, Official Ear Tags, and 
Request for Permission to Move. APHIS will collect the following 
information from VS Form 1-27: (1) The number of animals to be moved; 
(2) the species of the animals; (3) the points of origin and 
destination, and (4) the names and addresses of the consignor and the 
consignee. Failing to collect this information would greatly hinder the 
control of Johne's disease and possible lead to increased prevalence.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Accredited Veterinarians.
    Number of Respondents: 6.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 7.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE); Importation of 
Animals and Animal Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0393.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 
2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal 
health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to 
detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or 
poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export 
of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of 
any livestock or poultry pest or disease. The AHPA is contained in 
title X, subtitle E, sections 10401-18 of Public Law 107-171, May 13, 
2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates the importation 
of animals and animal products into the United States to guard against 
the introduction of animal diseases. The regulations in 9 CFR parts 92 
through 98, govern the importation of certain animals, birds, poultry, 
meat, other animal products and byproducts, hay, and straw. It also 
contains measures for preventing the introduction of various diseases 
into the United States.
    Need and Use of the Information: To ensure BSE is not introduced 
into the United States, the regulations place specific conditions on 
the importation of animals and animal products. These requirements 
necessitate the use of several information collection activities, 
including, but not limited to, certification, official identification, 
request for and retention of classification as negligible or controlled 
risk, declaration of importation, import and export certificates, 
applications, import and movement permits, agreements, certification 
statements, seals, notifications, and recordkeeping. Failure to collect 
this information would make it impossible for APHIS to effectively 
prevent BSE-contaminated animals and animal products from entering the 
United States, and to track movement of any imported BSE-contaminated 
animals or products within the United States post-arrival.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government; Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 978.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Recordkeeping; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 663,779.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-01421 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P