[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 67 (Monday, April 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 17476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6596]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0040]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

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 associated with the export of animal products from the 
United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
8, 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-2007-0040 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-2007-0040, 
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-2007-0040.
    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 an information 
collection associated with the export of animal products from the 
United States, contact Dr. Joyce Bowling-Heyward, Assistant Director, 
Technical Trade Services-Products, National Center for Import and 
Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 
734-3278. 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: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.
    OMB Number: 0579-0256.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of a new 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. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and products, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), maintains 
information regarding the import health requirements of other countries 
for animals and animal products exported from the United States.
    Many countries that import animal products from the United States 
require a certification from APHIS that the United States is free of 
certain diseases. These countries may also require that our 
certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the 
U.S. animal products being exported. This certification must carry the 
USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative (e.g., a 
Veterinary Medical Officer). Veterinary Services Form 16-4, Health 
Certificate-Export Certificate-Animal Products, is used to meet these 
requirements.
    Regulations pertaining to export certification of animals and 
animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 91 and 156.
    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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. exporters of animal products.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 33,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 132,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 66,000 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 3rd day of April 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-6596 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am]
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