[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14724-14725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5996]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14724]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0124]


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

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 products.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0124-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0124, 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-
0124 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 pork-filled pasta products, contact Dr. Magde S. 
Elshafie, Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade Services--Products, 
National Center for Import and Export, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-3277. 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 Pork-filled Pasta 
Products.
    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 to, among 
other things, 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 91 through 99, 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 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.
    Respondents: National Government of the region in which the pork-
filled pasta product is processed and operators of pasta facilities.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2.

[[Page 14725]]

    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 3.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 3 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 7th day of March 2012.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5996 Filed 3-12-12; 8:45 am]
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