[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 101 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29293-29294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10106]


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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. 72, No. 101 / Friday, May 25, 2007 / 
Notices  

[[Page 29293]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0063]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1

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 regulations to prevent the introduction of 
the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza through imported 
birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird and poultry products.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
24, 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-2007-0063 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-
2007-0063, 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-2007-0063.
    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 regulations for the importation of 
unprocessed bird and poultry products from regions that have reported 
the presence of the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza 
or for the importation of U.S. origin pet birds and performing or 
theatrical birds and poultry returning to the United States, contact 
Dr. Peter Merrill, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 734-0649. 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: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1.
    OMB Number: 0579-0245.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other 
things, to prohibit or restrict the importation of animals, animal 
products, and other articles into the United States to prevent the 
introduction of animal diseases and pests. The regulations in 9 CFR 
parts 93, 94, and 95 govern, among other things, the importation of 
certain birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird and poultry products and 
byproducts to prevent the introduction of the H5N1 subtype of highly 
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).
    HPAI H5N1 is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease 
for poultry. HPAI can strike poultry quickly without any warning signs 
of infection and, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to 
flock. HPAI viruses can also be spread by manure, equipment, vehicles, 
egg flats, crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have come in 
contact with the virus. HPAI viruses can remain viable at moderate 
temperatures for long periods in the environment and can survive 
indefinitely in frozen material. One gram of contaminated manure can 
contain enough virus to infect 1 million poultry. The H5N1 subtype of 
HPAI has been of particular concern because it has crossed the species 
barrier and caused severe disease, with high mortality, in humans.
    APHIS' regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of 
unprocessed bird and poultry products and byproducts from regions that 
have reported the presence of the H5N1 subtype of HPAI, and contain 
permit and quarantine requirements for U.S. origin pet birds and 
performing or theatrical birds and poultry returning to the United 
States after being in such regions. The provisions necessitate the use 
of several information collection activities, including an Application 
to Import Controlled Materials or Transport Organisms and Vectors (VS 
Form 16-3), an Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (VS Form 17-
129), a notarized declaration or affirmation, and a Pet Bird Owner 
Agreement (VS Form 17-8).
    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

[[Page 29294]]

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. importers of unprocessed bird and poultry 
products from regions where HPAI subtype H5N1 has been reported, and 
owners of U.S. origin pet birds and U.S. origin performing or 
theatrical birds or poultry returning to the United States.
    Estimated annual number of respondents : 5,180.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.540540541.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 23,520.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 11,760 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 21st day of May 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10106 Filed 5-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P