[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 52 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12755-12756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4918]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0180]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; U.S. Origin Health Certificate

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 related to the export of animals and animal products from 
the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0180 to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0180, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0180.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations 
regarding the export of animals and animal products from the United 
States, contact Dr. Jack Taniewski, Assistant Director, Technical Trade 
Services Team, 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, and its continuation form, VS Form 17-140A, are 
used to meet this requirement. In addition, other information 
collection activities used for the export of animals and animal 
products may include: Environmental certification for export 
facilities; notarized statements; documentation of undue hardship for 
animals departing from a specific export location; requests regarding 
approval or withdrawal of approval of export facilities; and 
recordkeeping for modification of rail stanchions on vessels.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities 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 0.291882 hours per response.
    Respondents: APHIS accredited and State veterinarians; animal 
owners; and exporters.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 3,067.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 29.36648.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 90,067.

[[Page 12756]]

    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 26,289 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 13th day of March 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-4918 Filed 3-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P