[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 97 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 28465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9691]



[[Page 28465]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 16, 2007.
    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) 720-8958.
    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: U.S. Origin Health Certificate.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0020.
    Summary of Collection: As part of its mission to facilitate the 
export of U.S. animals and products, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 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 the animals are disease free. The VS form 17-140, U.S. Origin 
Health Certificate, is used to meet these requirements. The form is 
authorized by 21 U.S.C. 112.
    Need and Use of the Information: The U.S. Origin Health Certificate 
is used in connection with the exportation of animals to foreign 
countries and is completed and authorized by APHIS veterinarian. The 
information collected is used to: (1) Establish that the animals are 
moved in compliance with USDA regulations, (2) verify that the animals 
destined for export are listed on the health certificate by means of an 
official identification, (3) verify to the consignor and consignee that 
the animals are healthy, (4) prevent unhealthy animals from being 
exported and (5) satisfy the import requirements of receiving 
countries. The collection of this information helps to prevent 
unhealthy animals from being exported from the United States. If these 
certifications were not provided, other countries would not accept 
animals from the United States.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 3,067.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 30,024.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Interstate Movement of Certain Tortoises.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0156.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) regulates the importation and interstate movement of 
certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into or 
dissemination within the United States of pests and diseases of 
livestock. The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit the importation of 
the leopard tortoise, the African spurred tortoise, and the Bell's 
hingeback tortoise to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic 
ticks known to be vectors of heartwater disease, an acute, infectious 
disease of cattle and other ruminants. The regulations in 9 CFR part 74 
prohibit the interstate movement of those tortoises that are already in 
the United States unless the tortoises are accompanied by a health 
certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
ensure that the interstate movement of these tortoises poses no risk of 
spreading exotic ticks within the United States. The collected 
information is used for the purposes of identifying each specific 
tortoise and documenting the State of its health so that the animals 
can be transported across State and national boundaries. If the 
information is not collected APHIS would be forced to continue their 
complete ban on the interstate movement of leopard, African spurred, 
and Bell's hingeback tortoises, a situation that could prove 
economically disastrous for a number of U.S. tortoises breeders..
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 150.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 249.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-9691 Filed 5-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P