[Federal Register: May 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 101)]
[Notices]
[Page 29293-29294]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my07-22]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 29293]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0063]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection; Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1
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 request an extension of approval of an information
collection associated with regulations to prevent the introduction of
the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza through imported
birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird and poultry products.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July
24, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0063 to submit or view public
comments and to view supporting and related materials available
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2007-0063, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0063.
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: Additional information about APHIS and its
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on an information
collection associated with regulations for the importation of
unprocessed bird and poultry products from regions that have reported
the presence of the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza
or for the importation of U.S. origin pet birds and performing or
theatrical birds and poultry returning to the United States, contact
Dr. Peter Merrill, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD
20737; (301) 734-0649. 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: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1.
OMB Number: 0579-0245.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of
the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other
things, to prohibit or restrict the importation of animals, animal
products, and other articles into the United States to prevent the
introduction of animal diseases and pests. The regulations in 9 CFR
parts 93, 94, and 95 govern, among other things, the importation of
certain birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird and poultry products and
byproducts to prevent the introduction of the H5N1 subtype of highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).
HPAI H5N1 is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease
for poultry. HPAI can strike poultry quickly without any warning signs
of infection and, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to
flock. HPAI viruses can also be spread by manure, equipment, vehicles,
egg flats, crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have come in
contact with the virus. HPAI viruses can remain viable at moderate
temperatures for long periods in the environment and can survive
indefinitely in frozen material. One gram of contaminated manure can
contain enough virus to infect 1 million poultry. The H5N1 subtype of
HPAI has been of particular concern because it has crossed the species
barrier and caused severe disease, with high mortality, in humans.
APHIS' regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of
unprocessed bird and poultry products and byproducts from regions that
have reported the presence of the H5N1 subtype of HPAI, and contain
permit and quarantine requirements for U.S. origin pet birds and
performing or theatrical birds and poultry returning to the United
States after being in such regions. The provisions necessitate the use
of several information collection activities, including an Application
to Import Controlled Materials or Transport Organisms and Vectors (VS
Form 16-3), an Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (VS Form 17-
129), a notarized declaration or affirmation, and a Pet Bird Owner
Agreement (VS Form 17-8).
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
information collection, including the
[[Page 29294]]
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 information collection 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 0.5 hours per response.
Respondents: U.S. importers of unprocessed bird and poultry
products from regions where HPAI subtype H5N1 has been reported, and
owners of U.S. origin pet birds and U.S. origin performing or
theatrical birds or poultry returning to the United States.
Estimated annual number of respondents : 5,180.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.540540541.
Estimated annual number of responses: 23,520.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 11,760 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 21st day of May 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10106 Filed 5-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P