[Federal Register: July 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 133)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42034-42035]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy04-36]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 04-059-1]

 
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.

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[[Page 42035]]

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 regulations for the importation of horses, 
ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is 
considered to exist.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-059-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. 04-059-1.
     E-mail: Address your comment to 
regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comment must be contained in the body 

of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name 
and address in your message and ``Docket No. 04-059-1'' on the subject 
line.
     Agency Web site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html
 for a form you can use to submit an e-mail comment through 

the APHIS Web site.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the 
Federal Register and related information, including the names of groups 
and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the 
importation of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the 
world where screwworm is considered to exist, contact Dr. Glen I. 
Garris, Assistant to the Associate Deputy Administrator, Emergency 
Management, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
(301) 734-8073. For copies of more detailed information on the 
information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Importation of Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; 
Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm.
    OMB Number: 0579-0165.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
regulates the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal 
products, and conducts various other activities to protect the health 
of our Nation's livestock and poultry.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit or restrict the 
importation of certain animals into the United States to prevent the 
introduction of communicable diseases of livestock and poultry. 
Subparts C, D, E, and F of the regulations govern the importation of 
horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs, respectively, and include 
provisions for the inspection and treatment of these animals if 
imported from any region of the world where screwworm is considered to 
exist. Screwworm is a pest native to tropical areas of South America, 
the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, tropical and sub-Saharan 
Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. Screwworm causes extensive damage to 
livestock and other warmblooded animals.
    The horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs must be accompanied to the 
United States by a certificate signed by a full-time salaried 
veterinary official of the exporting region stating that the animal has 
been inspected, under certain conditions, and found free of screwworm 
and, as appropriate, that the animal was treated for screwworm.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity 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 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Full-time salaried veterinary officials of exporting 
regions.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 40.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 160.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 40 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 7th day of July 2004.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15807 Filed 7-12-04; 8:45 am]

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