[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 145 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43675-43676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17217]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / 
Notices  

[[Page 43675]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0075]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Pork-Filled Pasta

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 pork-
filled pasta.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 26, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component-/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0075 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0075, 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-2008-0075.
    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 pork-filled pasta, contact Dr. Lynette Williams, Staff 
Veterinarian, Technical Trade Services Team-Products, National Center 
for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 734-0689. For copies of more detailed information on 
the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS's 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Importation of Pork-Filled Pasta.
    OMB Number: 0579-0214.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among 
other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate 
movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction 
into and dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and 
pests. To fulfill this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of 
animals and animal products into the United States. The regulations are 
contained in title 9, chapter 1, subchapter D, parts 92 through 98, of 
the Code of Federal Regulations. The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 
(referred to below as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the 
importation of specified animals and animal products into the United 
States to prevent the introduction into the U.S. livestock population 
of certain contagious animal diseases, including swine vesicular 
disease (SVD). Section 94.12 of the regulations contains, among other 
things, specific processing, recordkeeping, and certification 
requirements for pork-filled pasta products exported to the United 
States from regions affected with SVD.
    The regulations require, among other things, that the pork-filled 
pasta products be accompanied by a certificate stating that the product 
has been handled and processed according to the requirements set forth 
in the regulations. This certificate must be issued and signed by an 
official of the national government of the region in which the pasta 
products were processed.
    In addition, the processing facility where the pork-filled pasta 
products are produced must maintain original records (to be kept for a 
minimum of 2 years) that identify, for each lot of pork used, the date 
the pork entered the facility, the lot number, the health certificate 
that accompanied the pork from the slaughter/processing facility to the 
meat-filled pasta processing facility, and the date the pork either 
began either dry-curing or was cooked.
    These records would provide important information in any traceback 
investigation that may need to be conducted by officials of the region 
of origin of the pork-filled pasta product, or by officials of the 
USDA.
    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 1 hour per response.

[[Page 43676]]

    Respondents: Officials of the national government of the region in 
which the pork-filled pasta product is processed.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2 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 22nd day of July 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17217 Filed 7-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P