[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4122-4123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01019]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0101]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Importation of Fruit From Thailand into the 
United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information 
collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection associated with the regulations for the 
importation of fruit from Thailand.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 
19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0101-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0101, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.

[[Page 4123]]

    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-
0101 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations for 
the importation of fruit from Thailand into the United States, contact 
Mr. Andrew Wilds, Trade Director, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 
140, Riverdale MD 20737; (301) 851-2275. 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 fruit from Thailand into the United States.
    OMB Number: 0579-0308.
    Type of Request: Revision to and 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 into the United 
States or their dissemination within the United States. As authorized 
by the PPA, APHIS regulates the importation of fruits and vegetables 
into the United States from certain parts of the world as provided in 
``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-56).
    In accordance with Sec.  319.56-47, litchi, longan, mango, 
mangosteen, pineapple, and rambutan from Thailand may be imported into 
the United States under certain conditions to prevent the introduction 
of plant pests into the United States. These conditions involve the use 
of information collection activities, including production area 
registration, phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration 
statement, and labeling.
    Shipments of litchi, longan, mango, mangosteen, pineapple, and 
rambutan must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an 
additional declaration stating that the fruit have been treated with 
irradiation in Thailand in accordance with the regulations, and in the 
case of litchi, that the fruit have been inspected and found to be free 
of Peronophythora litchi. In addition, cartons in which litchi and 
longans are packed must be stamped to indicate that the fruit must not 
be imported into or distributed in Florida.
    The information collection activities of a phytosanitary 
certificate and labeling were approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under control number 0579-0308. However, when comparing 
the regulations with the information collection activities, we found 
that the registration of production areas was omitted from previous 
information collections. This has resulted in a change of the estimated 
total annual burden from 78 hours to 398 hours.
    We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information 
collection activities, as described, 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 0.41458 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers of fruit from Thailand and the national 
plant protection organization of Thailand.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 10.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 96.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 960.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 398 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 January 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01019 Filed 1-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P