[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4120-4121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01021]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0098 ]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle From Mexico

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

[[Page 4121]]


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 the regulations for tuberculosis testing of 
imported cattle from Mexico.

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-2012-0098-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0098, 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-2012-
0098 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 regarding the 
regulations for tuberculosis testing of imported cattle, contact Dr. 
Langston Hull, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 851-3363. 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: Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle from Mexico.
    OMB Number: 0579-0224.
    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 livestock diseases 
and pests. APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal 
products into the United States. Regulations concerning the importation 
of animals are contained in 9 CFR part 93. Subpart D of part 93 
pertains to the importation of ruminants, including cattle.
    The regulations in subpart D include requirements to ensure that 
cattle imported into the United States from Mexico are free of bovine 
tuberculosis. The importation of these cattle involve information 
collection activities, such as the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services 
(VS) Application for Import or in Transit Permit (Animals, Animal 
Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs) (VS Form 17-
129) and USDA, APHIS, VS Declaration of Importation (Animals, Animal 
Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs) (VS Form 17-
29). In addition, subpart D requires that cattle be accompanied by a 
health certificate and that the application for the import permit list 
the specific locations of all premises that the cattle to be imported 
have been on. Lastly, subpart D requires tickicidal dip certification 
and certification regarding the tuberculosis history of the herd of 
origin for the cattle destined for export to the United States. This 
information is necessary to allow APHIS to ensure that the cattle to be 
imported from Mexico are free of tuberculosis, thereby protecting the 
health of the U.S. livestock.
    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 0.844 hours per response.
    Respondents: Salaried veterinary officers of the Mexican Government 
from the exporting region, veterinary officials of exporting regions 
approved by Mexico's national animal health service, exporters, and 
U.S. cattle importers.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 81,851.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.335.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 109,255.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 92,215 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. 2013-01021 Filed 1-17-13; 8:45 am]
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