81 FR 38657 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork Products, and Swine Semen From the European Union

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 114 (June 14, 2016)

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 for the importation of live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen from the European Union.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38657-38658]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14079]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0037]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork Products, and 
Swine Semen From the European Union

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 regulations for the importation of live 
swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen from the European Union.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0037.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0037, 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 http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-
0037 or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the 
regulations for the importation of live swine, pork and pork products, 
and swine semen from the European Union, contact Dr. Lynette Williams, 
Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Products, NIES, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-3300. For copies of 
more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. 
Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2727.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork Products, and Swine 
Semen from the European Union.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0218.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), 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 and interstate movement 
of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and 
dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases and pests. 
To carry out this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals 
and animal products into the United States.
    The regulations in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (9 
CFR), part 94, prohibit or restrict the importation of specified 
animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of diseases 
such as classical swine fever (CSF), rinderpest, foot-and-mouth 
disease, swine vesicular disease, and African swine fever. Among other 
things, part 94 lists the requirements for the importation of pork and 
pork products and live swine where these diseases exist. Section 94.31 
lists the requirements for the importation of pork, pork products, and 
breeding swine from the European Union (``the APHIS-defined European 
CSF region''). Section 98.38 lists the requirements for the importation 
of swine semen from the APHIS-defined European CSF region.
    These regulations require information collection activities, such 
as a certificate for pork and pork products, breeding swine, and swine 
semen; application for import or in-transit permit; and declaration of 
importation.
    The activities above were previously approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under collections 0579-0218 and 0579-0265. 
In our last extension of approval, we announced that we were combining 
the two collections and retiring 0579-0265. When we combined the 
collections, we did not accurately adjust the estimated burden. In 
addition, we have increased the estimates of burden to reflect the 
increased consumer demand for pork

[[Page 38658]]

and pork products and to account for the return of the declaration of 
importation to APHIS from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We have 
adjusted the estimates of burden accordingly.
    We are asking 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 this 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 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Foreign government animal health officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 21.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 20,951.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 439,976.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 440,374 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 8th day of June 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-14079 Filed 6-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P