[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 74545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31657]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 24, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 74545]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-114-1]


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 animals and animal products from 
the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by postal mail/commercial delivery 
or by e-mail. If you use postal mail/commercial delivery, please send 
four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket 
No. 03-114-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 
3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. 03-114-1. If you use e-mail, 
address your comment to [email protected]. Your comment must 
be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. 
Please include your name and address in your message and ``Docket No. 
03-114-1'' on the subject line.
    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 on the regulations 
regarding the export of animals and animal products from the United 
States, contact Dr. Roger Perkins, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Technical 
Trade Services, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (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: U.S. Origin Health Certificate.
    OMB Number: 0579-0020.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: 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. As part of its mission, 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) maintains 
information regarding the import health requirements of other countries 
for animals and animal products exported from the United States.
    Most countries require a certification that our animals are free 
from specific diseases and show no clinical evidence of disease. This 
certification must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS, 
APHIS accredited, or State veterinarian. VS Form 17-140, U.S. Origin 
Health Certificate, is used to meet this requirement.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this form 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 
information collection, 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 information collection 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 0.5004548 hours per response.
    Respondents: APHIS accredited and State veterinarians; animal 
owners; and exporters. Estimated annual number of respondents : 3,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 15.0223.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 45,067.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 22,554 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 18th day of December, 2003.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31657 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P