Federal Register: June 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 119)
DOCID: fr23jn09-20 FR Doc E9-14716
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. APHIS-2009-0041]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr23jn09-20
DOCUMENT ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Certification Program for Imported Articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. to Prevent the Introduction of Potato Brown Rot
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 24, 2009.
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 associated with regulations for a certification program for imported articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. to prevent the introduction of potato brown rot into the United States.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Certification Program for Imported Articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. to Prevent the Introduction of Potato Brown Rot.
OMB Number: 05790221.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.
Abstract: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Animal
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and Plant Health Inspection Service is authorized to prohibit or
restrict the importation of plants, plant products, plant pests, and
other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests and noxious weeds into the United States.
The regulations in 7 CFR part 319 prohibit or restrict the importation of certain plants and plant products into the United States to prevent the introduction of plant pests. The regulations contained in ``SubpartNursery Stock, Plants, Roots, Bulbs, Seeds, and Other Plant Products,'' 319.37 through 319.3714 (referred to below as the regulations), restrict, among other things, the importation of living plants, plant parts, seeds, and plant cuttings for propagation.
The regulations include a certification program for articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. imported from countries where the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 is known to occur. The requirements of the certification program were designed to ensure that Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 will not be introduced into the United States through the importation of articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. This bacterial strain causes potato brown rot, which causes potatoes to rot through, making them unusable and seriously affecting potato yields.
The certification program requires the collection of information through phytosanitary certificates, trust funds, and compliance agreements.
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 1 hour per response.
Respondents: Importers and foreign national plant protection organizations.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 27.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 37.851851.
Estimated annual number of responses: 1,022.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,022 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 17th day of June 2009. Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E914716 Filed 62209; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For information on regulations to prevent the introduction of potato brown rot into the United States, contact Mr. Vedpal Malik, Senior Agriculturalist, Quarantine Policy, Analysis and Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 207321231; (301) 7346774. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 8512908.