[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4120-4121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01021]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0098 ]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection; Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle From Mexico
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
[[Page 4121]]
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 associated with the regulations for tuberculosis testing of
imported cattle from Mexico.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March
19, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0098-0001.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0098, 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-2012-
0098 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) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the
regulations for tuberculosis testing of imported cattle, contact Dr.
Langston Hull, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, National Center for
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD
20737; (301) 851-3363. 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: Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle from Mexico.
OMB Number: 0579-0224.
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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among
other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate
movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction
into and dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases
and pests. APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal
products into the United States. Regulations concerning the importation
of animals are contained in 9 CFR part 93. Subpart D of part 93
pertains to the importation of ruminants, including cattle.
The regulations in subpart D include requirements to ensure that
cattle imported into the United States from Mexico are free of bovine
tuberculosis. The importation of these cattle involve information
collection activities, such as the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services
(VS) Application for Import or in Transit Permit (Animals, Animal
Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs) (VS Form 17-
129) and USDA, APHIS, VS Declaration of Importation (Animals, Animal
Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs) (VS Form 17-
29). In addition, subpart D requires that cattle be accompanied by a
health certificate and that the application for the import permit list
the specific locations of all premises that the cattle to be imported
have been on. Lastly, subpart D requires tickicidal dip certification
and certification regarding the tuberculosis history of the herd of
origin for the cattle destined for export to the United States. This
information is necessary to allow APHIS to ensure that the cattle to be
imported from Mexico are free of tuberculosis, thereby protecting the
health of the U.S. livestock.
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
(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 0.844 hours per response.
Respondents: Salaried veterinary officers of the Mexican Government
from the exporting region, veterinary officials of exporting regions
approved by Mexico's national animal health service, exporters, and
U.S. cattle importers.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 81,851.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.335.
Estimated annual number of responses: 109,255.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 92,215 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 14th day of January 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01021 Filed 1-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P