[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65163-65164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27170]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0097]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus in 
Growing Media From the Netherlands and Denmark

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 Christmas 
cactus and Easter cactus in growing media from the Netherlands and 
Denmark.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
December 19, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0097-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0097, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-
0097 or in our reading room, which 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the 
importation of Christmas cactus and Easter cactus in growing media from 
the Netherlands and Denmark, contact Dr. Arnold Tschanz, Senior Plant 
Pathologist/Risk Manager, Plants for Planting Policy, Regulations, 
Permits, and Manuals, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-0627. 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: Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus in Growing Media From the 
Netherlands and Denmark.
    OMB Number: 0579-0266.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (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 into the United 
States or their dissemination within the United States. The regulations 
contained in ``Subpart--Plants for Planting'' (7 CFR 319.37 through 
319.37-14) prohibit or restrict, among other things, the importation of 
living plants, plant parts, and seeds for propagation.
    Under these regulations, Christmas cactus and Easter cactus in 
approved growing media may be imported into the United States from the 
Netherlands and Denmark under certain conditions, which require the use 
of a phytosanitary certificate and declaration stating the plants were 
grown in accordance with specific conditions, an agreement between 
APHIS and the plant protection service of the country where the plants 
are grown, and an agreement between the foreign plant protection 
service and the grower.
    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

[[Page 65164]]

technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.5714285 hours per response.
    Respondents: Foreign plant protection service officials and growers 
in the Netherlands and Denmark.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 20.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 210.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 120 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 14th day of October 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27170 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]
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