Federal Register: December 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 234)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-30233
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. 03-090-1]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 3, 2004.
DOCUMENT 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 in support of regulations intended to prevent the interstate spread of fruit flies from Hawaii.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Fruit from Hawaii.
OMB Number: 05790123.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.
Abstract: In accordance with the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 77017772), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regulates the interstate movement of fruits and vegetables from Hawaii to prevent the interstate spread of fruit flies, including the Mediterranean fruit fly, the melon fly, and the Oriental fruit fly, pests that occur in Hawaii and can cause millions of dollars in damage to U.S. agriculture. The regulations are contained in SubpartHawaiian Fruit and Vegetables (7 CFR 318.13 through 318.1317).
Among other things, the regulations allow the movement of atemoya, longan, rambutan, sapodilla, papaya, carambola, litchi, and other fruits from Hawaii if the fruit is irradiated, either before the interstate movement or at certain locations on the mainland United States.
The provisions of the regulations regarding irradiation require a number of information collection activities, including the use of certificates, limited permits, compliance agreements, requests for treatment facility approval, requests for certification and recertification of testing equipment, and recordkeeping systems.
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
information collection, 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 information collection 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 0.1190 hours per response.
Respondents: Fruit producers, shippers, irradiation facility personnel, and State plant regulatory officials.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 300.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.15333.
Estimated annual number of responses: 2,746.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 327 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 1st day of December, 2003. Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 0330233 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For information regarding regulations to prevent the interstate spread of fruit flies from Hawaii, contact Mr. Alan S. Green, Assistant Director, Quarantine Policy, Analysis and Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 207371236; (301) 7348311. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 7347477.