[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16468-16469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8782]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-015-1]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment
request.
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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 in support of regulations intended to prevent the
introduction of plant pests into the United States, or their spread in
foreign commerce.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 2, 1998, to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate,
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 98-015-1,
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-015-
1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC,
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on
(202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding
phytosanitary export certification, contact Mr.
[[Page 16469]]
Jonathan Jones, National Phytosanitary Programs Manager, Phytosanitary
Issues Management Team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-8537; or e-mail:
[email protected]. For copies of more detailed information on the
information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, APHIS' Information
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Phytosanitary Export Certification.
Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
among other things, provides export certification services to assure
other countries that the plants and plant products they are receiving
from the United States are free of plant pests specified by the
receiving country.
It should be noted that our regulations do not require that we
engage in export certification activities. We perform this work as a
service to exporters who are shipping plants or plant products to
countries that require phytosanitary certification as a condition of
entry.
To request that we perform a phytosanitary inspection, an exporter
must complete and submit an Application for Phytosanitary Inspection
and Certification (PPQ Form 572).
After assessing the condition of the plants or plant products
intended for export (i.e., after conducting a phytosanitary
inspection), an inspector (who may be an APHIS employee or a State or
county plant regulatory official) will issue an internationally
recognized phytosanitary certificate (PPQ Form 557), a phytosanitary
certificate for reexport (PPQ Form 579), or an export certificate for
processed plant products (PPQ Form 578).
These forms are critical to our ability to certify plants and plant
products for export. Without them, we would be unable to conduct an
export certification program.
We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve
the continued use of these forms.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection.
We need this outside input to help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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
proposed collection of information, including 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 1.0039 hours per response.
Respondents: U.S. growers, shippers, and exporters; State and
county plant health protection authorities.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 3,913.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondents: 29.575.
Estimated annual number of responses: 115,729.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 116,181. (Due to
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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 30th day of March 1998.
Terry L. Medley,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8782 Filed 4-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P