[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 227 (Monday, November 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70954-70955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27850]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0128]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Swine and Swine Products From the European 
Union

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 swine and 
swine products from the European Union.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 23, 2009.

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-2008-0128 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-2008-0128, 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-2008-0128.

[[Page 70955]]

    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 swine and swine products from the European Union, 
contact Dr. James Davis, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for 
Import and Export (Animals), VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0694; or Dr. Lynette McDuffie, Staff 
Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export (Products), 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' Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Importation of Swine and Swine Products From the European 
Union.
    OMB Number: 0579-0265.
    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 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. 
Regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products 
into the United States are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98.
    Regulations in parts 94 and 98 prohibit or restrict the importation 
of specified animals and animal products, including live swine, pork 
and pork products, and swine semen, into the United States to prevent 
the introduction into the U.S. livestock population of certain animal 
diseases, including classical swine fever (CSF).
    Sections 94.24 and 98.38 contain regulations necessary to mitigate 
the risk of introducing CSF into the United States from a defined 
region of the European Union (``the APHIS-defined EU CSF region'') and 
require the use of information collection activities, including 
certificates issued by animal health authorities of the Member States 
of the APHIS-defined EU-CSF region stating that applicable provisions 
of the regulations to prevent the introduction of CSF into the United 
States via live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen have 
been met.
    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 this 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 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 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Animal health authorities of the APHIS-defined EU CSF 
region.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 86.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 816.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 816 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 18th day of November 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-27850 Filed 11-21-08; 8:45 am]
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