81 FR 87904 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 234 (December 6, 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 the export of animal products from the United States.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87904-87905]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29172]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0085]


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.

[[Page 87905]]


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 the export of animal products from the 
United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0085.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0085, 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-
0085 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 on the export of 
animal products from the United States, contact Dr. Dawn Hunter, 
Director, Export Products, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3333. For 
copies of more detailed information on the information collection, 
contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, 
at (301) 851-2483.

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. These countries 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 can request a 
hearing to appeal a decision if a request for a certificate is not 
granted due to an exporter not meeting certain requirements in part 156 
or if a certificate is denied or withdrawn by Veterinary Services 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 reporting 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: 43,467.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 184,737.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 59,117 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 30th day of November 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29172 Filed 12-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P