[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 91901-91902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30456]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0100]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Importation of Table Eggs From Regions Where 
Newcastle Disease Exists and Exportation of Poultry and Hatching Eggs

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and 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 a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection associated with the regulations for the 
importation of table eggs from regions where Newcastle disease exists 
and exportation of poultry and hatching eggs from the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0100.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0100, 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-2016-
0100 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 table eggs and exportation of poultry and hatching 
eggs, contact Dr. Antonio Ramirez, Senior Staff Veterinary Medical 
Officer, NIES, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale MD 20737; 
(301) 851-3355. For copies of more detailed information on the 
information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information 
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Importation of Table Eggs From Regions Where Newcastle 
Disease Exists and Exportation of Poultry and Hatching Eggs.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0328.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (the 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. To carry out this mission, APHIS 
regulates the importation of animals and animal products into the 
United States. In addition, under the Act, APHIS collects information 
and conducts inspections to ensure that poultry and hatching eggs 
exported from the United States are free of communicable diseases.
    In 9 CFR part 94, Sec.  94.6 governs the importation of carcasses, 
meat, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching 
eggs) of poultry, game birds, and other birds to prevent the 
introduction of Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza 
into the United States. Various conditions for the importation of table 
eggs from regions where Newcastle disease exists, including Mexico, 
apply and involve information collection activities, including the 
issuance of certificates and application of seals by foreign national 
or accredited veterinarians. APHIS requires certain information for the 
importation of table eggs that includes a certificate for table eggs 
from Newcastle disease-affected regions and a government seal issued by 
the veterinarian accredited by the national government who signed the 
certificate.
    For the export of poultry and hatching eggs from the United States 
to other countries, receiving countries have specific health 
requirements. Most importing countries require a certification that our 
poultry and hatching eggs are free of diseases that are of concern to 
them. This certification generally must carry a USDA seal and be 
endorsed by an authorized APHIS veterinarian. In addition, APHIS 
requires owners and exporters of poultry and hatching eggs to provide 
health and identification information, which is supplied by completing 
a Veterinary Services form entitled ``Certificate for Poultry and 
Hatching Eggs for Export.''
    This notice includes a description of the information collection 
requirements currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for the importation of table eggs from regions where Newcastle 
disease exists under number 0579-0328, and for requirements for poultry 
and hatching eggs for export, under number 0579-0048. After OMB 
approves and combines the burden for both collections under one 
collection (number 0579-0328), the Department will retire number 0579-
0048.
    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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Owners of poultry and hatching egg operations, and 
exporters of these products, as well as national animal health 
authorities who will complete the certificate necessary to export table 
eggs from certain regions that may pose a risk of introducing Newcastle 
disease to the United States.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 201.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 34.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 6,803.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,405 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual

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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 13th day of December 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30456 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P