[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 168 (Thursday, September 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49287-49288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18920]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0054]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; African Swine Fever; Importation of Live Dogs for Resale 
From Regions Where African Swine Fever Exists or Is Reasonably Believed 
To Exist

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 importation of live dogs for resale from 
regions where African swine fever exists or is reasonably believed to 
exist.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2021-0054 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2021-0054, 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 www.regulations.gov or in our reading room in Room 1620 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 activities 
within this information collection request, contact Dr. MaryKate 
Anderson, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Live Animal Imports and 
Exports, Strategy and Policy, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; phone: (301) 851-3364; [email protected]. 
For more detailed information on the information collection reporting 
process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act 
Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: African Swine Fever; Importation of Live Dogs for Resale 
From Regions Where African Swine Fever Exists or is Reasonably Believed 
to Exist.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0478.
    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 Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 
authorized to protect the health of the livestock, poultry, and 
aquaculture populations in the United States by preventing the 
introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of 
livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, and for eradicating such diseases 
and pests from the United States, when feasible. Within the USDA, this 
authority and mission is delegated to the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS).
    Within APHIS, Veterinary Services is tasked with, among other 
things, preventing foreign animal disease outbreaks in the United 
States, and monitoring, controlling, and eliminating a disease outbreak 
should one occur. In the past several years, there have been 
significant worldwide outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). ASF is a

[[Page 49288]]

highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and feral 
(wild) pigs. The disease has not been detected in the United States; 
however, APHIS is committed to working with State and industry partners 
to keep the disease out of the country.
    APHIS has determined that dogs imported from ASF-affected countries 
for resale purposes, along with their bedding, represent a possible 
pathway for the introduction of disease. To block this pathway, APHIS 
issued a Federal Order (DA-2021-01) \1\ imposing several restrictions 
on the importation of dogs for resale from regions where ASF exists or 
is reasonably believed to exist. Importers will need to verify that 
they have met these restrictions by completing and submitting a Dog 
Import Record that will record information regarding the dogs' 
characteristics, identification, origin, entry into the United States, 
disposition of their bedding and packing material, and confirmation of 
bathing.
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    \1\ https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/downloads/vs-federal-order-asf.pdf.
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    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for 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 burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers and animal breeders.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 200.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,800.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 900 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 25th day of August 2021.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18920 Filed 9-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P