[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58511-58512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23193]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0065]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; 
Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm

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 the regulations for the importation of 
horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the world where 
screwworm is considered to exist.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0065-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0065, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.

[[Page 58512]]

    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-
0065 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 horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of 
the world where screwworm is considered to exist, contact Dr. Ellen 
Buck, Equine Import Specialist, National Center for Import and Export, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-
3361. 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 Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; 
Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm.
    OMB Number: 0579-0165.
    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 
U.S. 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.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit or restrict the 
importation of certain animals into the United States to prevent the 
introduction of communicable diseases of livestock and poultry. 
Subparts C, D, E, and F of part 93 govern the importation of horses, 
ruminants, swine, and dogs, respectively, and include provisions for 
the inspection and treatment of these animals if imported from any 
region of the world where screwworm is considered to exist. Screwworm 
is a pest native to tropical areas of South America, the Indian 
subcontinent, Southeast Asia, tropical and sub-Saharan Africa, and the 
Arabian peninsula. Screwworm causes extensive damage to livestock and 
other warmblooded animals.
    The regulations in subparts C, D, E, and F involve the use of two 
information collection activities. One information collection activity 
includes a 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) for horses, ruminants, and 
swine. The second information collection activity includes a 
certificate for horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs signed by a full-
time salaried veterinary official of the exporting region stating that 
the animal has been inspected, under certain conditions, and found free 
of screwworm and, as appropriate, that the animal was treated for 
screwworm.
    Since the last approval of these collection activities, APHIS has 
adjusted the number of responses. We have increased the number of 
responses to reflect the number of health certificates that are 
presented for dogs. APHIS does not track the number of health 
certificates presented for dogs; however, we increased our estimate 
from 2 to 50 by counting the number of inquiries from individuals 
interested in importing dogs from areas where screwworm exists. We have 
also increased the number of responses for completion of health 
certificates for horses from 99 to 1,650, because the number of 
responses per respondent has increased from 3 to 50. The number of 
importers of horses has remained the same, but the number of responses 
per importer has been updated to accurately reflect the number of 
health certificates for horses that are presented. APHIS tracks the 
number of health certificates presented for horses.
    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 0.05 hours per response.
    Respondents: Full-timed salaried veterinary officials of exporting 
regions and importers of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from 
regions where screwworm is considered to exist.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 91.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 21.31.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,939.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 97 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 18th day of September 2013.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23193 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
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