[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50604-50605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24883]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 01-072-1]


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 the export of poultry and poultry hatching 
eggs from the United States.

DATES: We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all 
comments that we receive by December 3, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and 
three copies) to: Docket No. 01-072-1, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
    Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 01-072-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room 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) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding certificates 
for exporting poultry and hatching eggs, contact Dr. Ted Williams, 
Technical Trade Services, National Center for Import and Export, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-
8364. For copies of more detailed information on the information 
collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Certificate for Poultry and Hatching 
Eggs for Export.
    OMB Number: 0579-0048.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including poultry 
and hatching eggs, is a major business in the United States and 
contributes to a favorable balance of trade. In accordance with 21 
U.S.C. 112 and 113, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), 
collects information and conducts inspections to ensure that poultry 
and hatching eggs exported from the United States are free of 
communicable diseases. Receiving countries have specific health 
requirements for poultry and hatching eggs exported from the United 
States. Most countries require a certification that our poultry and 
hatching eggs are free of diseases of concern to the receiving country. 
This certification generally must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed 
by an APHIS veterinarian. VS Form 17-6, Certificate for Poultry and 
Hatching Eggs for Export, is generally used to meet these requirements.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity 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

[[Page 50605]]

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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Owners of poultry and hatching egg operations, and 
exporters of these products.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 300.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 70.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 21,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 10,500 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 28th day of September 2001.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-24883 Filed 10-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P