[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 14906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06479]



[[Page 14906]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 17, 2015.
    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 April 
20, 2015 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 and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Endangered Species Regulations and Forfeiture Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0076.
    Summary of Collection: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1513 et. seq.) directs Federal departments to utilize their 
authorities under the Act to conserve endangered and threatened 
species. Section 3 of the Act specifies that the Secretary of 
Agriculture is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be 
appropriate to enforce the Act. The regulations contained in 7 CFR part 
355 are intended to carry out the provisions of the Endangered Species 
Act. The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) division of USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for 
implementing these regulations. Specifically, Section 9(d) of the Act 
authorizes 7 CFR 355.11, which requires a general permit to engage in 
the business of importing or exporting terrestrial plants listed in 50 
CFR parts 17 and 23. APHIS will collect information using several PPQ 
forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the following 
information activities to conserve endangered and threatened species of 
terrestrial plants: Application for Protected Plant Permit (PPQ 621), 
Appeal of Denial of General Permit, Marketing and Notification 
Requirements, Notice of Arrival (PPQ 368), Notice of Exportation, 
Marking Requirements, Validation of Documents, Recordkeeping, 
Submitting Reports from Records Required to be kept, Waiver of 
Forfeiture Procedures by Owner of Seized Property (PPQ 623) Petition 
for Remission or Mitigation of Forfeiture (PPQ 626) and Request for 
Return of Property. The information provided by these information 
collection activities is critical to APHIS ability to carry out its 
responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act and the Lacey Act.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 16,578.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 7,554.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Animals and 
Animal Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0234.
    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 broad authority to 
detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or 
poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export 
of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of 
any livestock or poultry pest or disease. The AHPA is contained in 
Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401-18 of Public Law 107-171, May 13, 
2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates the importation 
of animals and animal products into the United States to guard against 
the introduction of animal diseases. The regulations in 9 CFR parts, 
91, 93, 94, 95 and 96 govern the importation of certain animals, birds, 
poultry, meat, other animal products and byproducts, hay, and straw 
into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of 
diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a chronic 
degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of cattle.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the information 
to prevent BSE incursion into the United States using the following: 
(1) Import Permit Application (VS Form 16-3); (2) Certificate for 
Inedible Processed Ovine/Caprine Origin Materials and Products from a 
Region Not Listed in 9 CFR 95.4; (3) Cooperative Service Agreement; (4) 
Certification Statement for Ovine/Caprine Products from Regions Listed 
in 9 CFR 95.4, and for Inedible Processed Animal Proteins Derived from 
Ovines/Caprines; (5) Seals; (6) Notification of Designation of Persons 
Authorized to Break Seals; (7) Agreements with Slaughter Facilities 
Concerning the Use of Seals on Conveyances Transporting Animals from 
Canada; (8) Notification Regarding Conditions of Sealed Shipments; (9) 
Animals Imported for Immediate Slaughter (VS Form 17-33); (10) 
Certification Statement for Ruminants; (11) Ruminants Imported to 
Designated/Approved Feedlots (VS Form 17-130); and (12) Permit for 
Movement of Restricted Animals (VS Form 1-27). Failure to collect this 
information would make it impossible for APHIS to effectively prevent 
BSE-contaminated animals and animal products from entering the United 
States.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 5,238.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 231,307.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-06479 Filed 3-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P