[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 56857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22409]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 10, 2013.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by October 
16, 2013 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Export Health Certificate For Animal Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0256.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 
2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal 
health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture board authority to 
detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or 
poultry. The export of agricultural commodities, including animals and 
animal products, is a major business in the United States and 
contributes to a favorable balance of trade. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services 
maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other 
countries for animals and animal products exported from the United 
States. Many countries that import animal products from the United 
States require a certification from APHIS that the United States is 
free of certain diseases. These countries may also require that our 
certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the 
U.S. animal products being exported. Form VS-16-4 and VS-16-4A, Export 
Certificate for Animal Products and Export Certificate for Animal 
Products Continuation Sheet, a Hearing Request to appeal VS' decision 
to refuse to grant a certificate, and a Notification of Tampered 
Certificate can be used to meet these requirements. Regulations 
pertaining to export certification of animals and animal products are 
contained in 9 CFR parts 91.
    Need and Use of the Information: Form VS 16-4 and VS 16-4A serves 
as the official certification that the United States is free of 
rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, swine 
vesicular disease, African swine fever, bovine fever, bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy, and contagious bovine pleuropneuomia. APHIS will 
collect the exporter's name, address, the name and address of the 
consignee, the quantity, and unit of measure, type of product being 
exported, the exporter's identification, and type of conveyance (ship, 
train, and truck) that will transport the products. The form also asks 
for any declarations the receiving country might require, such as 
statements concerning where the product originated and how it was 
processed. Without the information, many countries would not accept 
animal products from the United States, creating a serious trade 
imbalance and adversely affecting U.S. exporters.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other-for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 42,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 57,122.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Shepherd's Purse with Roots from the Republic 
of Korea into the United States.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0366.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to carry out 
operations or measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, 
prevent, or retard the spread of plant pests new to the United States 
or not know to be widely distributed throughout the United States. The 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations 
concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables allow for the 
importation of fresh shepherd's purse with roots from the Republic of 
Korea into the United States under a combination of mitigations to 
reduce the risk of introducing a variety of pests. As a condition of 
entry, fresh shepherd's purse have to be produced in accordance with a 
system approach that includes requirements for importation of 
commercial consignments, pest-free place of production, and inspection 
for quarantine pests by the National Plant Protection Organization 
(NPPO) of the Republic of Korea.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS uses the following 
information collection activities, phytosanitary certificate, sampling 
and microscopic inspection, recordkeeping, and production site 
registration to increase the supply of fresh shepherd's purse without 
increasing the risk of introducing pests into the United States.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 54.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 163.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-22409 Filed 9-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P