[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66517-66518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25565]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0070]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Standards for Privately Owned Quarantine Facilities for 
Ruminants

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 regulations for privately owned quarantine 
facilities for ruminants.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 24, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2021-0070 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-2021-0070, 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, which is 
located 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 regulations for 
privately owned quarantine facilities for ruminants, contact Dr. 
Alexandra MacKenzie, Senior Veterinary Medical Officer, Live Animal 
Imports (Ruminants, Swine, Semen, and Embryos), Strategy and Policy, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-
3300. For more information on the information collection process, 
contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, 
at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Standards for Privately Owned Quarantine Facilities for 
Ruminants.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0232.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to, among other things, 
prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals 
and animal products into the United States to prevent the introduction 
of animal diseases and pests.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 govern the importation into the 
United States of specified animals and animal products to help prevent 
the introduction of various animal diseases into the United States. The 
regulations in part 93 require, among other things, that certain 
animals, as a condition of entry, be quarantined upon arrival in the 
United States. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service operates 
animal quarantine facilities and also authorizes the use of quarantine 
facilities that are privately owned and operated for certain animal 
importations.
    The regulations in subpart D of part 93 (9 CFR 93.400 through 
93.442) pertain to the importation of ruminants. Ruminants include all 
animals that chew the cud, such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, deer, 
antelopes, camels, llamas, and giraffes. Ruminants imported into the 
United States must be quarantined on arrival for at least 30 days, with 
certain exceptions. Domestic ruminants from Canada and Mexico are not 
subject to this quarantine.
    The regulations for privately owned quarantine facilities for 
ruminants require the use of certain information collection activities, 
including an application for facility approval, a cooperative service 
(compliance) agreement explaining the conditions under which the 
facility must be operated, creation and maintenance of a daily log of 
persons entering and leaving the facility while quarantine is in 
process, request for variance, a manual of standard operating 
procedures, and maintenance of certain records covering quarantine 
operations.
    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

[[Page 66518]]

    (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 0.587 hours per response.
    Respondents: Owners/operators of privately owned quarantine 
facilities for ruminants.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 5.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 22.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 109.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 64 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 28th day of October 2021.
Jack Shere,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25565 Filed 11-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P