Emergency Letter

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Washington, DC 20250

November 14, 2008

Subject: Request for Expedited Processing of Emergency Letter on The

New Lacey Act

OMB Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance

To: Margaret A. Malanoski, Desk Officer

Through: Ruth Brown, Department Clearance Officer

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting emergency review, processing, and approval of an information collection activity that is needed in connection with the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect plants and plant products by requiring importers to submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products such as wood pulp, furniture, and products manufactured from plant-based resins.

This emergency action resulting from the Lacey Act will establish new regulations that will make it unlawful beginning December 15, 2008, to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration. APHIS is working with a larger interagency group composed of representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Council on Environmental Quality, and the Department of Commerce, to implement the new provisions.

Its implementation will require APHIS to engage in certain information collection activities. APHIS is requesting approval of the paperwork clearance package by December 1, 2008.

Should you desire further information regarding this request, please contact Mr. Alex Belano, Assistant Branch Chief, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, (301) 734-5333.

Rebecca Bech

Deputy Admistrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine

APHIS - Protecting American Agriculture

An Equal Opportunity Employer