[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63873-63874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22094]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 13, 2007 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63873]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0074]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Hass Avocados From Michoacan, Mexico

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 for the importation of Hass 
avocados from Michoacan, Mexico.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 14, 2008.

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-2007-0074 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-2007-0074, 
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-2007-0074.
    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 regulations for the 
importation of avocados from Michoacan, Mexico, contact Mr. David Lamb, 
Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-
4312. 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 Hass Avocados from 
Michoacan, Mexico.
    OMB Number: 0579-0129.
    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 avocado 
stem weevils, seed weevils, and seed moths, 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 319.56-47).
    Under these regulations, avocados from Michoacan, Mexico, are 
subject to certain conditions before entering the United States. These 
requirements include, among other things, trust fund agreements, work 
plans, phytosanitary certificates, stickers, truck and container seals, 
and box marking.
    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 
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 0.0015266 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers, shippers, distributors, and handlers of 
Hass avocados from Mexico; Mexican national plant protection 
organization officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,223.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 32,713.735.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 72,722,635.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 111,024 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.


[[Page 63874]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of November 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-22094 Filed 11-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P