Importation of Animals and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Products, Certain Animal Embryos, and Zoological Animals
0579-0040
January 2011
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8301–8317) is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the ability to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.
APHIS is responsible for, among other things, preventing the introduction of foreign animal diseases into the United States and for rapidly identifying, containing, and eradicating such diseases when feasible. In connection with this mission, APHIS collects information from individuals who import animals or poultry, animal or poultry products, or animal germplasm into the United States.
This information includes data such as the origins of the animals or animal products to be imported, the health status of the animals or the processing methods used to produce animal products to be imported, and whether the animals or animal products were temporarily offloaded in another country during transit to the United States. APHIS needs this information to help ensure that these imports do not introduce foreign animal diseases into the United States.
APHIS uses a variety of information collection procedures and forms including health certificates, import permits, specimen submission forms, inspection reports, cooperative and trust fund agreements, and certification statements.
APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for an additional 3 years, the information collection activities associated with its efforts to safeguard the health of the U.S. livestock and poultry populations.
2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
90-day Written Bird Possession Statement - Canada
The owner of a pet bird, before bringing the bird into the United States from Canada, must state in writing that the bird has been in his or her possession for a minimum of 90 days before the date of importation, and that during this time, the bird did not come into contact with any poultry or other birds. This helps ensure that pet birds brought in from Canada are healthy and do not pose a disease risk to the poultry population of the United States.
Recordkeeping – Identification Marks on Imported Animals
The foreign producer (owner - operator of farms and individuals and households) and the official veterinary medical officer issuing the health certificate keep the identification records. However, APHIS also uses these means of identification to identify country of origin, correlate testing and certification statements that are requirements of importation, and for other purposes of traceability. The foreign government determines the length of time to maintain the records.
Agreement of Pet Bird Owner, VS 17-8
When bird owners return to the United States from specified countries with a U.S. origin bird with the original health certificate, APHIS requires them to agree, in writing, that they will keep the bird in their homes for 30 days (a home quarantine). This ensures that the bird, if it is carrying a disease acquired in a foreign country, will not pose a disease threat to the U.S. poultry population.
Importation of Pet Birds (Personally Owned), VS 17-23
Personally-owned pet birds that are not of U.S. origin are required to undergo 30-day quarantine at a USDA-quarantine facility. APHIS requires the owner to request space (in writing) at the quarantine facility. This written request alerts APHIS that a foreign bird is entering the country and allows APHIS to make arrangements for its quarantine. Having this procedure in place helps APHIS prevent the entry of foreign poultry diseases into the United States.
United States Permit to Transit Poultry, Hatching Eggs, or Birds, VS 17-135A
When poultry, hatching eggs, or birds are transiting Anchorage, Alaska, the importer must apply for a transit permit. APHIS requires this so that APHIS can have a veterinarian on hand in Anchorage to supervise the transit. Without this requirement, APHIS would have no way of knowing when foreign poultry was transiting Alaska. This would compromise APHIS’ ability to prevent foreign poultry diseases from entering the United States.
Application and Space Reservation Request for Ratites and Ratite Hatching Eggs and Site Inspection, VS 17-128
If an importer wishes to reserve quarantine space to import ratites or ratite eggs into the United States or wishes to ask APHIS to inspect a ratite farm in a foreign country, APHIS requires the importer to submit this application. (The foreign health certificate is printed on the reverse side of this form.) This enables APHIS to make arrangements to conduct quarantines and farm inspections. Not conducting these activities would compromise APHIS’ ability to prevent foreign poultry diseases from entering the United States.
Daily Register and Recordkeeping for Owner or Manager for Ratites and Hatching Eggs
APHIS requires the operator of a foreign ratite farm to record and maintain records of the inventory of ratite eggs and ratites and their identification on the farm so that APHIS knows exactly how many ratites and eggs are on the farm. The national veterinary service of the region of export uses this information to maintain a registry of premises. The foreign government determines the length of time to maintain the records. This is an antismuggling measure.
Declaration of Importation of Animals, Animal Semen, Embryos, Birds, Poultry, and Eggs for Hatching, VS 17-29
By filling out this form, the importers declare what they are importing into the United States; namely, animals, animal semen, or animal embryos. This alerts APHIS that certain animals or germplasm will be entering the country and assists APHIS in preventing the entry of foreign animal diseases into the United States.
Owner or Manager and Country of Export Quarterly Submission of Registers
APHIS requires operators of a foreign ratite farm (individuals or households) to submit their daily registers to the appropriate government office in that country, which then submits the registers to APHIS. This provides APHIS with information about the inventory of the farm. If these registers were not submitted to APHIS, APHIS would have no way of knowing if ratites or ratite eggs were being smuggled onto the farm.
Recordkeeping - National Exporting Country Registers and Maintenance of Current Production Records, Additions to Such Premises, and Ceiling Limitations
APHIS requires foreign veterinary officials to receive and maintain the registers from the operators of ratite farms. This assures APHIS that each farm is keeping accurate records concerning its inventory and the identification of its ratites (via the matching of identification numbers). This also provides APHIS with information concerning the facility’s adherence to export ceiling limitation requirements and whether any additions to the facility are planned. This information provides APHIS with another mechanism for ensuring that smuggled ratites or eggs are not on these farms.
Request for Hearing for Withdrawal of an Import Permit for Ratites or Ratite Hatching Eggs
If APHIS withdraws a permit to import ratites or ratite hatching eggs, the importer has the right to request a hearing in writing to determine just cause for the permit’s withdrawal. This procedure allows the importer to challenge the APHIS decision to withdraw the permit.
Daily Record of Horse’s Activities
The trainer or horse owner (overseas) must keep a daily record of the horse’s activities and submit this to a recordkeeping association that the Department has approved. This serves as a record that the horse has not been on breeding premises and has been involved only in training activities. This record provides that the animal was not used for breeding purposes overseas. If the animal is used for breeding purposes before entering the United States, the possibility exists that it will contract Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and present a disease threat to the U.S. equine population. A salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the region of origin is required to verify this information on the import health certificate.
Recordkeeping - Horses for Association and Trainer
A recordkeeping association that the Department has approved maintains the daily record of horse’s activities. This record provides that the animal was not used for breeding purposes overseas. If the animal is used for breeding purposes before entering the United States, the possibility exists that it will contract CEM and present a disease threat to the U.S. equine population. A salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the region of origin is required to verify this information on the import health certificate.
Written Request to Change Horse’s Itinerary or Method of Transport
A horse of foreign origin that enters the United States must have a definite itinerary and undergo close monitoring if the APHIS-required testing for CEM has not been completed. If the horse’s itinerary needs to be changed, the owner or manager of the horse submits a written request to change the horse’s itinerary. APHIS needs to be aware of it to evaluate potential disease risk to U.S. horses. To monitor the horse during its travel within the United States, APHIS needs to know the location of the horse.
Appeal or Hearing of Import Permit Withdrawal
If APHIS cancels an owner’s permit to import a horse, the owner can appeal the decision in writing. This appeal process gives an owner a way to challenge the decision to cancel the permit.
Random Inspections of Ratite Farms per Breeding Season of Premises for Required Identification and Recording on Quarterly Report of Registers
APHIS requires full-time salaried veterinary officers of the national government to inspect ratite farms quarterly to see if the farms meet APHIS recordkeeping and identification guidelines. These veterinarians record whether all ratites and hatching eggs are properly identified. This process ensures APHIS that farms are keeping accurate inventory records and that smuggled ratites and eggs are not on these farms.
Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (for Live Animals, Animal Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs, VS Form 17-129
Anyone required to have an import or in-transit permit must submit a VS 17-129, Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (Animals, Animal Semen, Poultry, and Hatching Eggs), to APHIS. The importer must describe the type, number, and identification of the animals to be exported. The importer must also list the origin, intended date and location of arrival, routes of travel, and destination of the animals. APHIS will use the permit applications to carefully examine each import request.
Request Space at USDA Operated Quarantine Facilities and Includes Mailing Copies
Before APHIS can quarantine animals at a USDA-operated quarantine facility, the importer reserves space at the facility. In some cases, this may be done through online reservations or by directly contacting the USDA quarantine facility, or APHIS may reserve space as part of an overall process (including submission of the VS 17-129) in order to receive a permit. Types of animals that are required to be quarantined if originating from specified countries include horses, ruminants, swine, wild ruminants, and wild swine intended for exhibition in a zoological park, birds, and poultry. This guarantees that animals will have space at APHIS quarantine facilities.
Foreign Health Certificates
Foreign veterinary authorities complete the foreign health certificates as written proof that competent veterinary authorities have examined or tested the animals, eggs, or germplasm and that the commodities meet the U.S. import requirements. The foreign health certificate includes the foreign test certificate for tuberculosis, brucellosis, bluetongue, akabane, epizootic hemorrhagic disease. The affidavit or certificate from the owner or importer stating animals have been in the country for 60 days prior to shipment is also included as part of the foreign health certificate. APHIS requires foreign health certificates to ensure the following imports are not carrying disease:
Animals and animal products imported via the regionalization process
Canadian certificate for horses for immediate slaughter
Canadian certificate for ruminants
Canadian certificate for swine
Cattle embryos and semen
Cattle, sheep, and goats from foreign regions
Elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir
Equine semen and embryos
Hatching eggs of ratites
Hedgehogs and tenrecs from FMD-free regions
Horses from foreign regions including CEM-affected countries
Porcine semen from Peoples Republic of China
Ratites other than hatching eggs
Ruminants from Central America and West Indies
Semen and embryos from all ruminants and swine from FMD-affected regions
Sheep and goat germplasm from all regions
Wild ruminants and swine from FMD-affected regions
Letter of Credit, Cashier’s Check, Certified Check, or Money Order
To reserve and use space at USDA-operated quarantine facilities, the importer gives a financial instrument (letter of credit, cashier’s check, certified check, or money order) to APHIS in person, through the mail, or by courier.
Written Notice of Cancellation from Importer
If an importer reserves space at a quarantine facility and then decides to cancel, APHIS needs to know about it in order to make the space available for someone else. Receiving this written notice enables APHIS to effectively manage the use of space at the quarantine facilities.
Written Agreement with State for CEM (Monitoring by State)
States perform CEM quarantines under APHIS guidelines designed to prevent outbreaks and spread of CEM. State veterinary authorities fill out this agreement, which serves as the State’s promise to abide by APHIS guidelines when quarantining horses for CEM.
Opportunity to Present View on Suspension
If APHIS opts to suspend a State’s approval to receive horses for CEM quarantine, the State veterinary authorities can appeal the suspension in writing. This appeal process gives States a way to challenge the APHIS decision.
Zoological Park Inspection Report, VS 17-65A
Semiannually, APHIS inspects USDA-approved zoos to ensure they are maintaining specific standards relative to the housing and care of imported swine and ruminants. In connection with this monitoring effort, APHIS requires the zoo operator to have the services of a veterinarian available. This veterinarian must make periodic inspections of the swine or ruminants to ascertain their health status. This veterinarian must alert APHIS, in writing, of any suspected illness in the animals. APHIS personnel are only at the zoo perhaps twice a year; an onsite veterinarian continuously monitors the animals and their health status.
Agreement for the Importation, Quarantine, and Exhibition of Certain Wild Ruminants and Wild Swine, VS 17-65B
Zoo authorities who import wild ruminants and swine complete this agreement, promising to abide by APHIS guidelines when handling these animals. This helps ensure that these animals do not pose a disease risk to the ruminant and swine populations of the United States.
Report of Zoo Animals with Suspected Cases of Contagious or Communicable Diseases,
VS 17-65C
If a zoo animal gets sick, zoo authorities notify APHIS so that APHIS can determine whether the animal has a disease that could threaten U.S. livestock, equine, or poultry. If zoo authorities did not alert APHIS via this form, APHIS’ ability to protect the United States from disease incursion could be compromised.
Agreement for Transfer of Certain Wild Animals, VS 17-65D
Zoo authorities complete this form when they transfer a wild animal to another location. APHIS needs to know about such transfers, since zoo animals represent a possible disease threat to the U.S. animal population.
Application for Approval of Quarantine or Holding Facility (Letter)
Occasionally foreign animals (horses, sheep, goats, ruminants, swine, and fish) transiting the United States to a third country must be temporarily offloaded (from a plane or truck) into a holding facility before they reach their final destination. Or, if these animals are entering the United States, they may be quarantined at a private quarantine facility. In either case, the transporter must request, in writing, that APHIS approves the facility that will be used to temporarily house or quarantine these animals. APHIS requires this application for approval to know when, where, or for how long these animals are being housed and to determine if or how much of a disease risk they present to the United States.
Opportunity for Hearing to Present Views on Facility Withdrawal and Written Withdrawal by Facility Operator
If APHIS opts to withdraw approval of a facility (such as a private quarantine facility), then the facility operator has the right to appeal the APHIS decision. The appeal must be in writing. This process gives facility operators a way of challenging the APHIS decision. Facility operators must also alert APHIS, in writing, if they intend to cease operations and voluntarily relinquish operating approval. This allows APHIS to keep accurate records.
Cooperative Agreement and Trust Fund for Birds (includes providing a list of current employees to port veterinarian, signed statement from each designated employee, written instructions to monitoring agency, telephone numbers of cooperators, written request for accounting of funds, and written termination)
If a bird quarantine facility changes location or changes ownership, the operator of that facility completes this documentation and sends it to APHIS. This alerts APHIS that the facility has undergone significant change and allows APHIS to adjust its records. To prevent the introduction of poultry diseases into the United States, APHIS needs to monitor, supervise, and inspect these facilities. Requiring the above documentation helps APHIS do this.
Trust Fund or Compliance Agreement for Horses
Horse importers must sign this agreement to allow USDA personnel to inspect and monitor the horses and to pay USDA for these services. APHIS inspects and monitors the horses to ensure they are healthy and do not pose a disease risk to the U.S. equine population. Among other things, APHIS ensures the horses are not being bred and possibly transmitting CEM to U.S. horses.
Application/Permit to Import Birds (request space for commercial lots of birds at USDA operated or approved quarantine facilities), VS 17-20
Importers complete this form to reserve space for their foreign birds at a USDA-operated or
-approved quarantine facility. APHIS requires this form to guarantee quarantine space and manage the bird quarantine facilities. Quarantines help protect the U.S. poultry population from foreign poultry disease.
Daily Log of Privately Operated Quarantine Facility for Ruminants, Swine, and Equine
When ruminants, swine, or equines are in quarantine, APHIS needs to ensure that only specified individuals are allowed entry into the quarantine facility. The daily log that visitors must sign allows APHIS to enforce this. This daily log helps APHIS maintain the integrity of the quarantine. Unauthorized visitors entering and leaving the quarantine could pose a disease risk to the U.S. livestock population.
Recordkeeping – Daily Log of Privately Operated Quarantine Facility for Ruminants, Swine, and Equine
When ruminants, swine, or equines are in quarantine, APHIS needs to ensure that only specified individuals are allowed entry into the quarantine facility. The daily log that these individuals must sign allows APHIS to enforce this. This daily log helps APHIS maintain the integrity of the quarantine. Unauthorized visitors entering and leaving the quarantine could pose a disease risk to the U.S. livestock population. APHIS requires the facility operator to keep the log for 12 months after the animals leave the quarantine. If some of these animals become sick after leaving quarantine, the log would help APHIS investigate the incident.
Daily Log and Recordkeeping for Identification Record for Birds, VS 17-12
APHIS requires that the operator keeps this daily log and identification record for 12 months to keep APHIS informed of which birds are entering the facility. Only birds that are preapproved for quarantine can enter these facilities. This helps ensure that ineligible and possibly disease-carrying birds are not being quarantined at these establishments. This log and identification record helps APHIS protect the U.S. poultry population from foreign disease.
Additional Requirements for the Quarantine of Birds
APHIS reserves the right to impose additional requirements concerning the quarantining of birds if APHIS determines it is necessary to prevent the escape of poultry disease agents from quarantine facilities. Imposing such requirements (such as additional sanitation requirements) may require the facility operator to sign or submit various kinds of documents in connection with the additional requirements.
Application for Approval of Quarantine Facilities and Request for Transfer of Operations to Another Facility for Birds, VS 17-11
If an individual wants to open a bird quarantine facility or move a bird quarantine facility to another location, the individual must submit this application to APHIS to have the facility approved. These facilities must meet strict biosecurity standards. This application helps APHIS ensure bird quarantine facilities meet APHIS standards and do not pose a disease risk to the poultry population of the United States.
Written Request for Inspection, Other Services, and Dipping, VS 17-32 (Application for Inspection and Dipping)
When importers wish to import ruminants, horses, or poultry into the United States, they must submit this application requesting USDA personnel to inspect the animals at the border. APHIS inspects the animals to ensure they are healthy and do not pose a disease risk to U.S. animals. This application lets APHIS know when the animals are expected so personnel will be available to inspect the animals. This avoids delays for the importers and helps APHIS conduct inspections in a timely and efficient manner.
Importer or Agent Certification Free of Fever Tick (Letter)
Mexican veterinary officials submit letters to APHIS certifying that the cattle destined for import into the United States have been inspected, found free of fever ticks, and dipped. This helps APHIS ensure that cattle from Mexico are free of ticks and tick nymphs and the diseases they carry before the cattle enter the United States.
72-Hour Prior Arrival Notice (Hedgehogs, Tenrecs, Elephants, Hippos, Rhinos, and Tapirs)
Importers must alert an APHIS inspector at an appropriate port of entry at least 72 hours before hedgehogs, tenrecs, elephants, hippos, rhinos, or tapirs arrive in the United States. The importer can give 72-hour notice in writing or via telephone or fax for each shipment of animals intended for import. The 72-hour notice allows APHIS time to plan for the animals’ arrival and to arrange for inspection.
Owner Affidavit for Sheep and Goats from Scrapie Regions
When sheep or goats are imported from countries or regions known to be affected with scrapie, the importer must, along with a standard import application, supply APHIS with an affidavit stating that these animals originated from a flock or herd in the region of origin that participate in a program determined by APHIS to be equivalent to the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program, and the flock or herd has been determined by APHIS to be at a level equivalent to “Certified” in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program.
Request for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region
When the veterinary authorities of a foreign region wish to apply for recognition of the animal health status of their region with regard to a disease or diseases, they must communicate this desire to APHIS via a letter. This request letter follows no particular format and may contain as much information as the sender feels necessary.
Application for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region
In addition to the request letter, the region’s veterinary authorities must submit an application for recognition of the animal health status of the region, preferably in the form of a questionnaire that is available on the APHIS Web site. If APHIS receives a request letter without an application, the Agency will provide the questionnaire to the requesting entity and indicate that the information is necessary to initiate an evaluation. The region’s veterinary authorities must complete and return the questionnaire to APHIS.
The application questionnaire contains questions designed to provide APHIS with specific information necessary to accurately evaluate the animal health status of a region and the associated risk of opening U.S. markets to animal commodities from that region. The questionnaire solicits information regarding the organization and infrastructure of the official veterinary services, the legal authority to carry out animal health regulatory activities, livestock demographics and marketing practices, diagnostic laboratory capabilities, and emergency preparedness and response capacity. The questionnaire also requests information specific to the disease(s) under evaluation, including an accounting of recent outbreaks, the extent of an active control program, vaccination practices, and surveillance practices.
In many instances, the information requested already exists and must simply be entered into the questionnaire format. However, an additional burden is incurred when the respondents must translate information, such as official acts or regulations, into English.
Request for Additional Information about a Region
In some instances, APHIS may determine that the initial application package is incomplete or that the Agency needs more information than was originally requested. If this is the case, APHIS will ask the region to send additional information concerning its animal health status. No form is involved in this information collection; in many cases, the information already exists and will simply need to be sent to APHIS.
In addition, APHIS may request that the veterinary authorities of a region submit additional information regarding their current animal health status, if the Agency already recognizes the region as free of, low risk for, or not affected by any disease of concern and determines that time or circumstances may have altered that status. APHIS would use this information to reevaluate, if necessary, the region’s animal health status with respect to a given disease or diseases.
Appeal Classification of Animal Health Status
If APHIS denies a region’s request to be classified as a certain animal health status, the region can appeal that decision via letter and include additional information that might cause the Agency to reevaluate its decision. No official form is involved in this information collection.
Written Recommendations Have Been Implemented by the Region
In some cases, APHIS provides a region with written recommendations that will assist the region in attaining APHIS recognition of the animal health status it desires. Before proceeding with the evaluation, APHIS will need documentation from the region that the recommendations have been implemented. No official form is involved in this information collection.
Notification that a Restricted Agent Has Been Discovered in the Region
When a region that APHIS recognizes as free of, low risk for, or not affected with a specific disease discovers evidence of the disease or infection within its borders, that region must advise APHIS of the situation. This notification system, which involves no official form, is critical to the success of APHIS’ regionalization program. It will enable APHIS to have accurate, up-to-date information concerning the health status of a region.
Certification for Horses that Spend Less than 60 Days in a Region
If a horse is presented for import from a region where it has been for less than 60 days, the importer must ensure that the horse is accompanied by a certification from each region in which the horse has been during the 60 days immediately before its shipment to the United States. This helps ensure that the horse has not been exposed to a communicable disease such as African horse sickness.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
Agreement of Confinement in Personal Possession Declaration and Affirmation Under Oath, VS 17-8
This form is currently only available in paper format for the public; however, this form has been added to a Veterinary Services (VS) electronic system. Please note that members of the public can’t use the system to complete the form at this time. Within the next 2 years, States will be able to view the forms in the system. VS IT specialists are currently working to “right” the system by adding better PRA citations for when the public may actively use it (other forms are also involved). This form may also be available as a pdf (not in a database) in the next 6 months for members of the public to access and complete.
Import Permit to Transit Poultry, Hatching Eggs, or Birds, VS 17-135A
This APHIS-issued form must accompany the shipments so it is not a candidate for electronic submission; however, APHIS is implementing an electronic (Web base) import permit system (e-permits) that will streamline the import permit application (VS form 17-129) and issuance of import permits. This system will also enhance data collection and is projected to be available in mid 2011.
Daily Record of Horse’s Activities
APHIS does not specify how the records must be maintained. The trainer or horse owner could complete and submit the records electronically based on the protocol of the recordkeeping association that the Department has approved.
Written Request to Change Horse’s Itinerary or Method of Transport
This request can be sent to APHIS via an e-mail.
Appeal or Hearing of Import Permit Withdrawal
This request can be sent to APHIS via an e-mail
Application for Import or In-Transit Permit (for Live Animals, Animal Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs), VS Form 17-129
This form is a candidate for electronic submission. APHIS is implementing an electronic (Web base) import permit system (e-permits) that will streamline the import permit application (VS Form 17-129) and issuance of import permits. This system will also enhance data collection and is projected to be available in mid 2011.
Request Space at USDA Operated Quarantine Facilities and Includes Mailing Copies
This request is made via phone.
Written
Notice of Cancellation from Importer
This notice can be sent to APHIS via fax or e-mail.
Opportunity to Present View on Suspension
While this request can be sent to APHIS via an e-mail.
Trust Fund or Compliance Agreement for Horses
This agreement, which requires an original signature, can be completed electronically in word processing software, but an original signature is required.
Written Request for Inspection, Other Services, and Dipping, VS 17-32 (Application for Inspection and Dipping)
This form is a candidate for electronic submission. APHIS is implementing an electronic (Web base) system to enhance data collection that is projected to be available in mid 2011.
Importer or Agent Certification Free of Fever Tick (Letter)
This form is not currently submitted electronically. APHIS is currently evaluating the information collection activities relating to Mexican cattle imported into the United States to streamline those activities. Mexico has developed a pilot project to submit documents for exports electronically. The pilot project is expected to occur in mid 2011.
Request for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region
This request can be sent to APHIS via e-mail.
Application for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region
The application questionnaire is available on the Web. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/downloads/info_request.pdf
The data associated with APHIS regionalization program, including the questionnaire, can be sent to APHIS via e-mail.
Certification for Horses that Spend Less than 60 Days in a Region
This certification can be completed electronically but must be printed and then signed. It accompanies the horse during shipment.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2 above.
The information APHIS collects in connection with this program is not available from any other source. APHIS is the only Agency responsible for preventing the introduction of foreign animal diseases into the United States.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
APHIS estimates that 5 percent of the total respondents are small entities. The information APHIS collects in connection with its import programs is the minimum needed to ensure that animals, poultry, animal and poultry products, zoological animals, and animal germplasm imported into the United States pose a negligible risk of introducing foreign animal diseases into the U.S. livestock and poultry populations.
6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
If the information were collected less frequently or not collected at all, it would diminish APHIS’ ability to protect the United States from foreign animal disease incursions. The U.S. livestock and poultry populations would suffer repeated disease outbreaks, and billions of dollars would need to be spent on containment and eradication efforts. In addition, the U.S. livestock and poultry industries would suffer billions of dollars in losses, since the value of their products would be diminished both domestically and internationally.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
APHIS requires individuals to record information more than quarterly on their Daily Registers and Daily Logs; however, the individuals are not required to submit the registers on a daily basis.
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
APHIS requires importers to alert APHIS at least 72 hours prior to certain animals arriving at a port.
requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
There are no other special circumstances and this information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines established in 5 CFR 1320.5.
8. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.
In 2010, APHIS engaged in productive consultations with the following individuals in connection with the information collection activities associated with its programs:
Laurie Hueneke
National Pork Producers Council
122 C Street, Suite 875
Washington, DC 20001
202-347-3600; ext. 231
Steve Pretanik, Director of Science and Technology
National Chicken Council
1015 15th Street NW, Suite 930
Washington, DC, 20005
202-296-2622
Scott Blackwill
JBS Swift and Co.
1770 Promontory Circle
Greeley, Colorado 80634
970-506-7791
On Friday, August 27, 2010, pages 52709-52710, APHIS published in the Federal Register, a
60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection of information. During that time, APHIS received one comment from an interested member of the public stating that the collection is not necessary, APHIS overestimates its burden, and that the United States should shut down all imports of poultry, semen, etc. However, this information must be collected in order to keep our animals safe and to support national and international economies.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.
This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No additional assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection. However, the confidentiality of information is protected under 5 U.S.C. 552a.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
This information collection activity will ask no questions of a personal or sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.
•Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.
See APHIS Form 71. Burden estimates were developed from discussions with entities involved in the importation of animals and poultry, animal and poultry products, zoological animals, and animal germplasm into the United States; foreign exporters of these items; foreign animal health authorities; and State animal health authorities.
•Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
Respondents include foreign animal health authorities seeking to engage in the regionalization process; as well as U.S. importers, foreign exporters, veterinarians and animal health technicians in other countries, State animal health authorities, shippers, owners and operators of foreign processing plants and farms, USDA-approved zoos, laboratories, feedlots, and private quarantine facilities; and other individuals involved (directly or indirectly) in the importation of animals and poultry, animal and poultry products, zoological animals, and animal germplasm into the United States.
APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to these respondents to be $422,166,866. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the total burden hours (101,629 ) by the estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($41.54). Estimated hourly wages for the respondents were determined from the U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2009 Report – National Compensation Survey: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008. See http://www.bls.gov/oes/#tables.
Foreign animal health authorities $48.23 [11-0000 Management Occupations]
State animal health authorities $48.23 [11-0000 Management Occupations]
Importers and exporters $29.55 [41-4012 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products]
Veterinarians $43 [20-1131 Veterinarians]
Animal health technicians $14.35 [29-2056 veterinary technologists and technicians]
Shippers $14.03 per hour [43-5071 Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks]
Owners and operators of foreign processing plants and farms $51.91 per hour [11-1021 General and Operations Manager]
Owners and operators of zoos $51.91 per hour [11-1021 General and Operations Manager]
Owners and operators of labs $51.91 per hour [11-1021 General and Operations Manager]
Owners and operators of feedlots $51.91 per hour [11-1021 General and Operations Manager]
Owners and operators of private quarantine facilities $51.91 per hour [11-1021 General and Operations Manager]
13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14.) The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
No annual cost burden is associated with capital and startup costs, operation and maintenance expenditures, and purchase of services.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.
The annualized cost to the Federal government is estimated at $1,524,094. (See APHIS Form 79.)
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1.
Overall, the total burden hours decreased 224,495 hours (64,065 due to program changes and 160, 430 due to adjustments). The total annual responses also decreased 11,328,203 responses (10, 306,205 due to program changes and 1,021,998 due to adjustments).
APHIS removed activities that were previously recorded but involved only the application of identification, such as branding the letter “M” for steers from Mexico, marking the letter “T” to identify CEM test mares, and the marking of hatching eggs of ratites (which is recorded on the daily register), and the identification of ratites (which is recorded on the VS 17-129). This change decreased burden.
APHIS made adjustments to several activities based on more recent data including the decrease of the estimated number of arrival declarations. In addition, APHIS decreased the number of respondents and annual response resulting in less burden hours for their 72-hour prior arrival notice at the port of first entry as this activity is limited to hedgehogs, tenrecs, elephants, hippos, rhinos, and tapirs, and very few imports of those animals occur.
In addition, APHIS removed redundancies that were listed in other OMB collections. These redundancies; however, did not affect the burden hours. This submission more accurately reflects the requirements for this information collection:
U.S. Origin Health Certificate, VS 17-140, was moved to (OMB 0579-0020). This requirement pertains to export.
APHIS also removed the Written Agreement, Application for Permit and Herd ID (Scrapie Flock Certification). The burden relating to these activities are accounted for under OMB 0579-0101.
Next, APHIS removed Accredited Veterinarians (burden cleared under OMB 0579-0297 (formerly 0579-0032)). While accredited veterinarians may perform certain import-related activities, such as drawing blood and monitoring animals, they are not involved in information collection activities.
Last, the VS Form 10-4, Specimen Submission, is cleared under OMB 0579-0090.
In addition to removing those requirements, APHIS combined two requirements into the requirement for foreign health certificates: (1) foreign test certificate for tuberculosis, brucellosis, bluetongue, akabane, epizizootic hemorrhagic disease and (2) affidavit or certificate from owner or importer stating animals have been in the country for 60 days prior to shipment. These requirements are accounted for under foreign health certificates and are now described under the foreign health certificate requirement. This did not affect the burden.
APHIS also added reporting requirements that coincided with recordkeeping requirements for the Daily Register for Owner or Manager for Ratites and Hatching Eggs; Daily Record of Horse’s Activities; Daily Log of Privately Operated Quarantine Facility for Ruminants, Swine, and Equine; Foreign Health Certificates; and Daily Log and Identification Record for Birds, VS 17-12. APHIS also added Request Space at USDA Operated Quarantine Facilities and Includes Mailing Copies to accompany the VS 17-129. In addition, APHIS added Request for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region and Application for Recognition of the Animal Health Status of a Region. The above items increased burden.
16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.
APHIS has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
VS 17-8, 17-29, and 17-129 are used in multiple collections; therefore, it is not practical to include an OMB expiration date because of the various expiration dates for each collection. APHIS is seeking approval to not display the OMB expiration date on these forms.
All other official forms will have expiration dates listed.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified under "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions in the Act.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
No statistical methods are associated with the information collection activities used in this program.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Importation of Animals and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Products, Certain Animal Embryos, and Zoological Animals |
| Author | Government User |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-12 |