Federal Register: December 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 234)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-30236
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. 03-097-1]
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 for the importation of artificially dwarfed plants.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Importation of Artificially Dwarfed Plants.
OMB Number: 05790176.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.
Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 77017772) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States.
The regulations contained in ``SubpartNursery Stock, Plants,
Roots, Bulbs, Seeds, and Other Plant Products'' (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.3714) prohibit or restrict the importation of
[[Page 68020]]
living plants, plant parts, and seeds for propagation.
Among other things, the regulations require artificially dwarfed plants imported into the United States to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the government of the country of origin. This certificate must contain declarations that certain conditions were met in the country of origin to protect against the infestation of the plants by longhorned beetles and other plant pests.
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 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 0.25 hours per response.
Respondents: Plant health officials of exporting countries.
Estimated annual number of respondents : 20.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
Estimated annual number of responses: 100.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 25 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. 0330236 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For information regarding regulations for the importation of artificially dwarfed plants, 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.