[Federal Register: February 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 24)]
[Notices]
[Page 6407-6408]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07fe05-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
February 2, 2005.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling
(202) 720-8681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: 7 CFR 340; Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or
Produced Through Genetic Engineering.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0085.
[[Page 6408]]
Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) is charged with preventing the introduction into, and
dissemination and establishment of plant pests in the United States.
The statutory requirements for the information collection activity are
found in the Plant Pest Act (PPA). The regulations in 7 CFR part 340
implement the provisions of the PPA by providing the information
necessary to establish conditions for proposed introductions of certain
genetically engineered organisms and products which present a risk of
plant pest introduction. APHIS will collect information using several
APHIS forms.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the information
through a notification procedure or a permit requirement to ensure that
certain genetically engineered organisms, when imported, moved
interstate, or released into the environment, will not present a risk
of plant pest introduction. The information collected through the
petition process is used to determine whether a genetically engineered
organism will pose a risk to agriculture or the environment if grown in
the absence of regulations by APHIS. The information is also provided
to State departments of agriculture for review, and made available to
the public and private sectors on the Internet to ensure that all
sectors are kept informed concerning any potential risks posed through
the use of genetic engineering technology.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Not-for-
profit intstitutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 97.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,676.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Export Certification, Accreditation of Non-Government
Facilities.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0130.
Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture is responsible
for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United
States, as well as the spread of pests not widely distributed in the
United States, and eradicating those imported when eradication is
feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal Pest Act authorize
the Department to carry out this mission. The regulations in 7 CFR part
353 allow non-government facilities (such as commercial laboratories
and private inspection services) to be accredited by the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to perform specific laboratory
testing or phytosanitary inspections that could serve as the basis for
issuing Federal phytosanitary certificates, phytosanitary certificates
for reexport, or export certificates for processed plant products.
APHIS provides export certification services to assure other countries
that the plants and plant products they are receiving from the United
States are free of plant diseases and insect pests.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information for
applications submitted by operator/owner of a non-government facility
seeking accreditation to conduct laboratory testing or phytosanitary
inspection. The application should contain the legal name and full
address of the facility, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers
of the facility's operator, a description of the facility, and a
description of the specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary
inspection services for which the facility is seeking accreditation. If
the activities are not conducted properly, APHIS export certification
program would be compromised, causing a disruption in plant and plant
product exports that could prove financially damaging to U.S.
exporters.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 315.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-2278 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-M