Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: February 23, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 35)]

[Notices]

[Page 8896-8897]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23fe98-46]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 97-122-1]

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

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 activities to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 24, 1998 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-122-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 97-122-1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding exotic bee diseases and parasites, honeybees, and honeybee semen, contact Dr. Robert Flanders, Senior Entomologist, Biological Assessment and Taxonomic Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-5930. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mr. Gregg Ramsey, Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5682.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Exotic Bee Diseases & Parasites, Honeybees, and Honeybee Semen.

OMB Number: 0579-0072.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for preventing the introduction and spread of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees, the introduction of genetically undesirable germ plasm of honeybees, and the introduction and spread of undesirable species or subspecies of honeybees.

[[Page 8897]]

The introduction and establishment of new honeybee diseases, parasites, and undesirable honeybee strains in the United States could cause multimillion dollar losses to American agriculture. Diseases or parasites can weaken or kill honeybees, thereby causing substantial reductions in the production of honey and other honeybee products, as well as a reduction in pollination activity. Pollination is necessary for the production of many important crops, including forages, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils.

To protect the health of the U.S. honeybee population, we engage in a number of information collection activities designed to allow us to determine whether shipments of honeybees, honeybee semen, or bee- related items (such as beekeeping equipment) represent a possible risk of introducing exotic bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable honeybee strains into the United States.

Our primary means of obtaining this vital information is requiring importers to apply to us for an import permit. The permit application contains such information as the amount of bee semen to be imported and the species or subspecies of honeybee from which the semen was collected; the country or locality of origin; and the intended port of entry in the United States.

We also require importers and shippers to adhere to a number of marking and shipping requirements that enable us to easily identify and process shipments of honeybees, honeybee semen, and other restricted articles when they arrive at U.S. ports of entry.

These information gathering procedures help us prevent the entry of shipments that pose a potential health risk to the U.S. honeybee population.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the continued use of this information collection activity.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. We need this outside input to help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 proposed 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 .269 hours per response.

Respondents: Importers and shippers of honeybees, honeybee semen, and other regulated articles.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 91.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.2637.

Estimated annual number of responses: 115.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 31 hours. (Due to rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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 18th day of February 1998. Craig A. Reed, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 98-4493Filed2-20-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P