[Federal Register: August 2, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 42371-42372]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02au07-47]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0076]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection; Importation of Tomatoes From Spain, Chile, France, Morocco,
and Western Sahara
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 our regulations governing the importation of
tomatoes from Spain, Chile, France, Morocco, and Western Sahara.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
October 1, 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-2007-0076 to submit or view public comments and to view
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information
on using http://www.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)
[[Page 42372]]
to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0076, 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-
2007-0076.
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 regarding foreign
quarantine regulations, contact Ms. Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist,
Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road
Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-5281. 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 Tomatoes from Spain, Chile, France, Morocco,
and Western Sahara.
OMB Number: 0579-0131.
Type of Request: Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection.
Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.)
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation,
entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other
articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests, including fruit
flies, into the United States or their dissemination within the United
States. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of
fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the
world are contained in ``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56
through 319.56-46).
The regulations in 319.56-28 allow tomatoes from Spain, Chile,
France, Morocco, and Western Sahara to be imported into the United
States subject to certain conditions designed to protect the tomatoes
from infestation by the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). Allowing
tomatoes to be imported necessitates the use of certain information
collection activities, including completing phytosanitary inspection
certificates and maintaining records regarding trap placement and
Medfly captures. The information we collect serves as the supporting
documentation needed to confirm that the tomatoes meet the conditions
set forth in the regulations.
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 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 0.6960 hour per response.
Respondents: Importers, foreign officials, shippers.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 34.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses Per Respondent: 72.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 2,448.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,704 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 27th day of July 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15008 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
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