[Federal Register: June 26, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 122)]
[Notices]               
[Page 30502-30503]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn09-23]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Correction

June 23, 2009.
    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; and (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 & Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0007.
    Summary of Collection: The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) 
is a voluntary Federal-State-industry mechanism for controlling certain 
poultry diseases and for improving poultry flocks and products through 
disease control techniques. The National Turkey Improvement Plan was 
combined with the NPIP in 1970 to create the NPIP, as it now exists. 
Emu, rhea, ostrich, and cassowary breeding flocks are also allowed 
participation in the Plan. The effective implementation of the NPIP 
necessitates the use of several information collection activities, 
including sentinel bird identification, as well as the creation and 
submission of flock testing reports, sales reports, breeding flock 
participation summaries, hatchery participation summaries, salmonella 
investigation reports, salmonella serotyping requests, and small chick 
order printouts. Authority for this program is contained in the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
429). The cooperative work is carried out through a Memorandum of 
Understanding with the participating States.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected from 
various types of poultry breeders and flock owners to determine the 
number of eggs hatched and sold as well as to report outbreaks of 
diseases. This information allows APHIS officials to track, control, 
and prevent many types of poultry diseases. APHIS will use several 
forms to collect the needed information.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 12,232.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 103,581.

[[Page 30503]]

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0036.
    Summary of Collection: The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 
(Pub. L. 89-544) enacted August 24, 1966, and as amended, required the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to regulate the humane care and 
handling of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and nonhuman 
primates. This legislation was the result of extensive demand by 
organized animal welfare groups and private citizens requesting a 
Federal law covering the transportation, care, and handling of 
laboratory animals. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS), Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (AC) has the 
responsibility to enforce the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-2156) 
and the provisions of 9 CFR, Subchapter A, which implements the Animal 
Welfare Act. The purpose of the AWA is to ensure that animal use in 
research facilities or exhibition purposes are provided humane care and 
treatment, to ensure humane treatment of the animal during 
transportation in commerce, and to protect the owners of animals from 
the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals 
which have been stolen. APHIS will collect information using several 
forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect health 
certificates, program of veterinary care, application for license and 
record of acquisition, disposition and transportation of animals. The 
information is used to ensure those dealers, exhibitors, research 
facilities, carriers, etc., are in compliance with the Animal Welfare 
Act and regulations and standards promulgated under this authority of 
the Act.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 7,450.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 87,252.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Lacey Act Declaration Requirements; Plants and Plant 
Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0349.
    Summary of Collection: The Lacey Act, enacted in 1900 and 
significantly amended in 1988, is the United States' oldest Wildlife 
Protection Statute. The Act combats trafficking in ``illegal'' 
wildlife, fish, or plants. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 
2008, which took effect May 22, 2008, amended the Lacey Act by 
expanding its protection to a broader range of plants and plant 
products (Section 8204, Prevention of Illegal Logging Practices).
    Need and Use of the Information: Under the amended Lacey Act, 
importers are required to submit a declaration form (PPQ-505) for 
certain plants and plant products. The declaration must contain, among 
other things, the scientific name of the plant, value of the 
importation, quantity of the plant, and name of the country from which 
the plant was harvested. If species varies or is unknown, importers 
will have to declare the name of each species that may have been used 
to produce the product. Failure to collect this information would cause 
significant losses for importers of plants and plant products resulting 
in serious economic consequences to the U.S. industries.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 279,398.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,029,164.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-15138 Filed 6-25-09; 8:45 am]

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