[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50152-50153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18506]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 6, 2004.
    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 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC, 20250-
7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this 
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 
(202) 720-8681.
    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: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Additional Restrictions.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0245.
    Summary of Collection: Disease prevention is the most effective 
method for maintaining a healthy animal population and enhancing the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ability to compete 
in the world market of animal and animal product trade. Title 21 U.S.C. 
authorizes sections 111, 114, 114a, 114-1, 115, 120, 121, 125, 126, 
134a, 134c, 134f, and 134g. These authorities permit the Secretary to 
prevent, control, and eliminate domestic diseases such as brucellosis, 
as well as to take actions to prevent and to manage exotic diseases 
such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and other foreign animal 
diseases. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an extremely infectious 
and fatal form of influenza in chickens and can strike poultry quickly 
without any warning signs. To protect the United States against an 
incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza, APHIS published an 
interim rule to prohibit or restrict the importation of birds, poultry, 
and unprocessed bird and poultry products from regions that have 
reported the presence of the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian 
influenza.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the information 
to ensure that U.S. origin pet birds undergo appropriate examinations 
before entering the United States. Without the information, it would be 
impossible for APHIS to establish an

[[Page 50153]]

effective line of defense against an introduction of highly pathogenic 
avian influenza.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,000.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Karnal Bunt; Compensation for Custom Harvesters in Northern 
Texas.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0248.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 
U.S.C. 7701-7772), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) has the responsibility and authorization to prohibit or 
restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plant and plant pests 
in the United States. The regulations regarding Karnal Bunt are set 
forth in 7 CFR Parts 301.89-1 through 301.89-16. APHIS amended the 
Karnal Bunt regulations to provide for the payment of compensation to 
custom harvesters for losses they incurred due to the requirement that 
their equipment be cleaned and disinfected after four counties in 
northern Texas were declared regulated areas for Karnal Bunt during the 
2000-2001 crop season.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using PPQ 540, Certificate of Federal/State Domestic Plant Quarantines. 
The certificate is used for domestic movement of treated articles 
relating to quarantines. The information collected is critical to the 
mission of preventing the infestation of Karnal Bunt into non-infested 
areas of the United States.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 40.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-18506 Filed 8-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-M