[Federal Register: December 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 239)] [Notices] [Page 69682-69683] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14de99-27] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 99-089-1] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an 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 approval of an information collection in support of the regulations restricting the importation of poultry products into the United States. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 14, 2000, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: We invite you to comment regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other aspect of this collection of information. Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 99-089-1, 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. 99-089-1. You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our comment 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 rules, are available on the Internet at http:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations governing the importation of poultry products into the United States, contact Dr. Michael David, Senior Staff Veterinarian, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234; (301) 734-7837. 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: Poultry Imports and Exports. OMB Number: 0579-0141. Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2000. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The regulations contained in 9 CFR, chapter 1, subchapter D, parts 91 through 99 (the regulations), govern the importation of animals, birds and poultry, certain animal products, and animal germ plasm into the United States. The regulations restrict the importation of poultry meat and other poultry products from regions of the world where exotic Newcastle disease (END) is known to exist. Among other things, the regulations provide for the importation of poultry carcasses, and parts and products of poultry carcasses, that originate in a region free of END but are processed in a region where END exists. These carcasses, and parts and products of carcasses, are not required to meet the more stringent requirements imposed on products that originate in regions where END exists, provided they are processed and shipped under specified conditions. These conditions include four information collection activities: a certificate of origin that must be issued, serial numbers that must be recorded, records that must be maintained, and cooperative service agreements that must be signed. These information collection activities support our efforts to ensure that imported poultry carcasses pose a negligible risk of introducing END into the United States. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the continued use of these information collection activities. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning these information collection activities. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 proposed 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 .1470 hours per response. Respondents: Full-time, salaried veterinarians employed by the governments of various regions that are affected with END. Estimated annual number of respondents: 4. [[Page 69683]] Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 51. Estimated annual number of responses: 204. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 30. (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. Done in Washington, DC, this 8th day of December 1999. Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 99-32365 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P