Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

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 a currently approved information collection in support of the export of animals and animal products from the United States.

DATES:

We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all comments that we receive by July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 00-041-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 00-041-1.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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) 690-2817 before coming.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information regarding the use of VS Form 17-140, contact Dr. Lisa Ferguson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animals Program, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-4928. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: U.S. Origin Health Certificate.

OMB Number: 0579-0020.

Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including animals and animal products, is a major business in the United States and contributes to a favorable balance of trade. As part of its mission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other countries for animals and animal products exported from the United States.

Most countries require a certification that our animals are free from specific diseases and show no clinical evidence of disease. This certification generally must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an authorized APHIS veterinarian. VS Form 17-140, United States Origin Health Certificate, is generally used to meet these requirements. Regulations requiring a U.S. Origin Health Certificate under certain circumstances are contained in 9 CFR part 91. The regulations in part 91 are authorized under 21 U.S.C. 105, 112, 113, 114a, 120, 121, 134b, 134f, 136, 136a, 612, 613, 614, and 618; 46 U.S.C. 466a and 466b; and 49 U.S.C. 1509 (d).

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our continued use of VS Form 17-140, United States Origin Health Certificate, for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection activity. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the information collection, 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 .4994 hours per response.

Respondents: State, Federal, and accredited veterinarians, animal owners, and exporters.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,800.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 15.

Estimated annual number of responses: 42,000.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 21,009 hours. (Due to rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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.