[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78226-78227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32312]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0109]


Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Health Certificates for the Export of Live 
Crustaceans, Finfish, Mollusks, and Related Products

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 revise an information collection associated with health 
certificates for the export of live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and 
related products and to request extension of approval of the 
information collection.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0109-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0109, 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 http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-
0109 or in our reading room, which 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on health certificates 
for the export of live crustaceans, finfish, mollusks, and related 
products, contact Dr. Christa Speekmann, Import/Export Specialist-
Aquaculture, Technical Trade Services Team, NCIE, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8364. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. 
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Health Certificates for the Export of Live Crustaceans, 
Finfish, Mollusks, and Related Products.
    OMB Number: 0579-0278.
    Type of Request: Revision and extension of approval of an 
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. To facilitate the export 
of U.S. animals and animal products, the Animal and Plant Health

[[Page 78227]]

Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other 
countries for animals and animal products exported from the United 
States.
    Many countries that import animals from the United States require a 
certification that the United States is free of certain diseases. These 
countries may also require the certification statement to contain 
additional declarations regarding the U.S. animals or products being 
exported. U.S. trading partners are increasing import requirements, 
which must be addressed using one of the three Veterinary Services 
export health certificates or country specific export health 
certificates. The current collection includes VS Form 17-141, and we 
are revising the collection to add VS Form 17-140 and APHIS Form 7001.
    The certificates are completed by an accredited veterinarian and 
must be signed by the accredited veterinarian who inspects the animals 
prior to their departure from the United States, and endorsed by APHIS.
    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 reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Accredited veterinarians who complete the health 
certificates and producers who provide information for the health 
certificates to the accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 69.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 24.63768116.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,700.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,550 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 12th day of December 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32312 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P