[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 148 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42371-42372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15008]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0076]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Tomatoes From Spain, Chile, France, Morocco, 
and Western Sahara

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 our regulations governing the importation of 
tomatoes from Spain, Chile, France, Morocco, and Western Sahara.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 1, 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-2007-0076 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using http://www.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)

[[Page 42372]]

to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0076, 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-
2007-0076.

    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 regarding foreign 
quarantine regulations, contact Ms. Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist, 
Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-5281. 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: Importation of Tomatoes from Spain, Chile, France, Morocco, 
and Western Sahara.
    OMB Number: 0579-0131.
    Type of Request: Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, 
entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other 
articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests, including fruit 
flies, into the United States or their dissemination within the United 
States. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of 
fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the 
world are contained in ``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56 
through 319.56-46).
    The regulations in 319.56-28 allow tomatoes from Spain, Chile, 
France, Morocco, and Western Sahara to be imported into the United 
States subject to certain conditions designed to protect the tomatoes 
from infestation by the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). Allowing 
tomatoes to be imported necessitates the use of certain information 
collection activities, including completing phytosanitary inspection 
certificates and maintaining records regarding trap placement and 
Medfly captures. The information we collect serves as the supporting 
documentation needed to confirm that the tomatoes meet the conditions 
set forth in the regulations.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity 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 
collection of information, 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 collection of information 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 0.6960 hour per response.
    Respondents: Importers, foreign officials, shippers.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 34.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses Per Respondent: 72.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 2,448.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,704 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 27th day of July 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-15008 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
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