[Federal Register: July 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 128)]
[Notices]
[Page 36647-36648]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jy07-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
June 28, 2007.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO,
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Imported Seed and Screening.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0124.
Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) is responsible for preventing plant diseases or insect pests
from entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests not
widely distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported
pest when eradication is feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the
Federal Plant Pest Act authorizes the Department to
[[Page 36648]]
carry out this mission. Under the authority of the Federal Seed Act of
1939, as amended, the USDA regulates the importation and interstate
movement of certain agricultural and vegetable seeds. The Plant
Protection & Quarantine Division of USDA's Animal & Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) has established a seed analysis program with
Canada that allows U.S. companies that import seed for cleaning or
processing to enter into compliance agreements with APHIS. This program
eliminates the need for sampling shipments of Canadian-origin seed at
the border, and allows certain seed importers to clean seed without the
direct supervision of an APHIS inspector. APHIS will collect
information using forms PPQ 925, Seed Analysis Certificate and PPQ 519,
Compliance Agreement.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information
from PPQ 925 and PPQ 519 to ensure that imported seeds do not pose a
health threat to U.S. agriculture. If the information were not
collected there would be no way of preventing noxious weeds from
entering the United States.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1,168.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 9,576.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Importation of Artificially Dwarfed Plants.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0176.
Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
7701-7772), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or
restrict the importation, entry or movement of plants and plant pests,
to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or
their dissemination within the United States. The Plant Protection and
Quarantine, a unit within USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS), enforce these regulations. Artificially dwarfed plants
imported into the United States must be accompanied by a phytosanitary
certificate of inspection issued by a plant health official employed by
the government of the country from which the plants are exported.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information
from the phytosanitary certificate to state that the plants were: (1)
Grown for at least 2 years in a nursery that is registered with the
government of the country of export; (2) grown in pots containing only
sterile growing media; (3) grown on benches at least 50 cm above the
ground; and (4) inspected at least once each year by the plant
protection service of the country of export. The collected information
will enable PPQ to verify that the imported plants were grown under
conditions that help keep the plants free from infestation by certain
longhorned beetles and other pests. Without the information APHIS could
not verify that imported nursery stock does not present significant
risk of introducing plant pests and plant diseases into the United
States.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms;
State, Local or Tribal Government; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 30.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 38.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-12962 Filed 7-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P