Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

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 export of animal products from the United States.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2023-0001 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2023-0001, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1620 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 on the export of animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Katrina Fox, DVM, Animal Products Import and Export, Strategy & Policy, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3083; katrina.fox@usda.gov. For information on the information collection process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483; joseph.moxey@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Export Health Certificate for Animal Products.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0256.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The export of agricultural commodities, including animals and animal products, is a major business in the United States and contributes to a favorable balance of trade. To facilitate the export of U.S. animals and animal products, U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains information regarding the import health requirements of other countries for animals and animal products exported from the United States. The regulations for export certification of animals and animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 91 and 156.

Many countries that import animal products from the United States require a certification from APHIS that the United States is free of certain diseases. They may also require that our certification statement contain additional declarations regarding the U.S. animal products being exported. This certification must carry the USDA seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative ( e.g., a Veterinary Medical Officer). The certification process involves the use of information collection activities including an animal products export certificate and request for a hearing. An exporter may request a hearing to appeal an APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) decision not to grant a certificate because an exporter is not meeting certain requirements in part 156 of the regulations or if a certificate is denied or withdrawn by VS if it is determined that an issued certificate has been altered or parts imitated.

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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.32 hours per response.

Respondents: Exporters of U.S. animal products.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 32,687.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.5.

Estimated annual number of responses: 179,318.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 58,165 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.