[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11172-11173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03303]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 15, 2017.
    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 
are requested regarding (1) 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) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 March 
23, 2017 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: Interstate Movement of Certain Land Tortoises.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0156.
    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 
prevent, control, and eliminate domestic diseases such as tuberculosis, 
as well as to take actions to prevent and to manage exotic diseases 
such as heartwater disease. The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit 
the importation of the leopard tortoise, the African spurred tortoise, 
and the Bell's hingeback tortoise to prevent the introduction and 
spread of exotic ticks known to be vectors of heartwater disease, an 
acute, infectious disease of cattle and other ruminants. The 
regulations in 9 CFR part 74 prohibit the interstate movement of those 
tortoises that are already in the United States unless the tortoises 
are accompanied by a health certificate or certificate of veterinary 
inspection.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
ensure that the interstate movement of these leopard, African spurred, 
and Bell's hingeback tortoises poses no risk of spreading exotic ticks 
within the United States. Owners and veterinarians are required to 
provide the following information to Federal or accredited 
veterinarians for completion of the health certificate: Name, address, 
and telephone number of the owner; information identifying the animal 
such as collar or tattoo number; breed; age; sex; color; distinctive 
marks; vaccination history; and certifications from both the owner and 
the veterinarian that all information is true and accurate. The 
collected information is used for the purposes of identifying each 
specific tortoise and documenting the State of its health so that the 
animals can be transported across State and national boundaries. If the 
information is not collected APHIS would be forced to continue their 
complete ban on the interstate movement of leopard, African spurred, 
and Bell's hingeback tortoises. This would economically harm U.S. 
tortoise breeders.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 375.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Table Eggs from Regions Where Newcastle 
Disease Exists.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0328.
    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. Veterinary Services, a program with the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for administering 
regulations intended to prevent the dissemination of animal disease 
within the United States. Regulations in title 9, Code of Federal 
Regulations, section 94.6 deal specifically with the importation of 
table eggs from certain regions that may pose a risk of introducing 
Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) into the United States.
    Need and Use of the Information: Although this collection applies 
to any region where END is considered to exist, the United States is 
not currently importing table eggs from any END-affected region. APHIS 
requires the following with regard to imported table eggs: (1) A 
certificate for table eggs from END-affected regions; and (2) a 
government seal issued by the veterinarian accredited by the national 
government who signed the certificate. APHIS will also use form VS-17-
6, Export Health Certificate for Poultry or Hatching Eggs for Export. 
If the information were collected less frequently or not collected at 
all, APHIS would be unable to establish an effective defense against 
the incursion of END from table eggs imported from END-affected 
regions. This would cause serious economic consequences for U.S. 
poultry industry, which would be

[[Page 11173]]

unable to export poultry and hatching eggs.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 201.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,405.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-03303 Filed 2-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P