0372 Ss 20170808

SUPPORTING STATEMENT - OMB NO. 0579-0372
IMPORTATION OF BEEF AND OVINE MEAT FROM URUGUAY AND BEEF FROM
ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL
May 2017
NOTE: This information collection combines 0579-0414 (Importation of Beef from Brazil)
and 0579-0428 (Importation of Beef from Argentina) with 0579-0372 (Importation of Beef
and Ovine Meat from Uruguay and Beef from Argentina and Brazil) as all three
information collections involve the importation of foreign meat. Once this information
collection is approved, APHIS will discontinue 0579-0414 and 0579-0428.

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 (AHPA) of 2002 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. The Secretary may also prohibit or
restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of
any livestock or poultry pest or disease.
The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401-18 of P.L. 107-171, May 13,
2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and
for enhancing our ability to compete globally in animal and animal product trade.
As part of this mission, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the importation of animals and animal
products into the United States to guard against the introduction of animal diseases not currently
present or prevalent in this country. The regulations in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) part 94 prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animals and animal products to
prevent the introduction into the United States of various animal diseases, including rinderpest
and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). FMD is a dangerous and destructive communicable disease
of ruminants and swine which is not currently present in the United States.
APHIS’ animal import regulations in 9 CFR 94.1 and 9 CFR 94.22 place certain restrictions on
the importation of beef and ovine meat from Uruguay into the United States. Under these
regulations, APHIS must collect information, prepared by an authorized certified official of the
Government of Uruguay, certifying that specific conditions for importation have been met.
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APHIS further restricts imports of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef and beef products from a region
in northern Argentina composed of the Provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba,
Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Jujuy, Mendoza, Misiones, La Pampa, La Rioja, Salta, San
Juan, San Luis, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, and Tucumán, as well as from a region in Brazil
composed of the States of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato
Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Rondonia, Sao Paulo,
Sergipe, and Tocantis, into the United States under 9 CFR 94.29. APHIS must collect
information (Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate), prepared by an authorized veterinary official
of the Governments of Argentina and Brazil, certifying that specific conditions for importation
have been met. For some of those conditions to be met, APHIS must complete an on-site
evaluation and inspection of foreign slaughtering facilities.
APHIS is asking OMB to approve its use of these information collection activities to ensure that
ovine products and beef from Uruguay, and beef and beef products from Argentina and Brazil,
pose negligible risk of introducing FMD (among other diseases) into the United States.

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.
9 CFR §94.29. Uruguay - Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate (Foreign Government)
Imported beef and ovine meat from Uruguay must be accompanied by a foreign meat inspection
certificate that is completed and signed by an authorized veterinary official of the Government of
Uruguay.
The certificate must verify:
• The meat is beef or ovine meat from animals that have been born, raised, and slaughtered
in Uruguay.
• If FMD is detected anywhere in Uruguay, the export of beef or ovine meat from all of
Uruguay to the United States is prohibited until at least 6 months have elapsed since the
depopulation, cleaning, and disinfection of the last infected premises. If a restricted zone
for FMD is established anywhere in Uruguay, the export of beef or ovine meat from that
restricted zone to the United States is prohibited until at least 12 months have elapsed
since the depopulation, cleaning, and disinfection of the last infected premises in the
restricted zone.
• The meat comes from sheep or cattle that were moved directly from the premises of
origin to the slaughtering establishment without any contact with other animals.
• The meat comes from sheep or cattle that received ante-mortem and post-mortem
veterinary inspections, paying particular attention to the head and feet, at the slaughtering
establishment, with no evidence found of vesicular disease.
• The meat consists only of beef or ovine parts that are, by standard practice, part of the
animal’s carcass that is placed in a chiller for maturation after slaughter. The bovine or
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•
•
•

ovine parts that may not be imported include all parts of the head, feet, hump, hooves,
and internal organs.
All bone and visually identifiable blood clots and lymphoid tissue have been removed
from the meat.
The meat has not been in contact with meat from regions other than those listed in
§94.1(a)(2).
The meat comes from carcasses that were allowed to maturate at 40 to 50˚F (4 to 10˚C)
for a minimum of 36 hours after slaughter and that reached a pH of 5.8 or less in the loin
muscle at the end of the maturation period. Measurements of pH must be taken at the
middle of both longissimus dorsi muscles. Any carcass in which pH does not reach 5.8 or
less may be allowed to maturate an additional 24 hours and be retested, and if the carcass
still has not reached a pH of 5.8 or less after 60 hours, the meat from the carcass may not
be exported to the United States.

APHIS will use the Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate and the Onsite Evaluation and
Inspection of Facilities (included later in this information collection package) to ensure that beef
and ovine products from Uruguay pose negligible risk of introducing disease into the United
States.

9 CFR §94.29. Argentina - Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate (Foreign Government)
Imported beef from northern Argentina must be accompanied by a foreign meat inspection
certificate that is completed and signed by an authorized veterinary official of the Government of
Argentina.
The certificate must verify:
• The meat is from animals that have been born, raised, and slaughtered in the exporting
region of Argentina.
• If FMD is detected in the exporting region of Argentina, the export of beef from all of
Argentina to the United States is prohibited until at least 12 months have elapsed since
the depopulation, cleaning, and disinfection of the last infected premises.
• The meat comes from bovines that originated from premises where foot-and-mouth
disease has not been present during the lifetime of any bovines slaughtered for the export
of beef to the United States.
• The meat comes from bovines that were moved directly from the premises of origin to
the slaughtering establishment without any contact with other animals.
• The meat comes from cattle that received ante-mortem and post-mortem veterinary
inspections, paying particular attention to the head and feet, at the slaughtering
establishment, with no evidence found of vesicular disease.
• The meat consists only of parts that are, by standard practice, part of the animal’s carcass
that is placed in a chiller for maturation after slaughter. The parts that may not be
imported include all parts of the head, feet, hump, hooves, and internal organs.
• All bone and visually identifiable blood clots and lymphoid tissue have been removed
from the meat.
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•
•

The meat has not been in contact with meat from regions other than those listed in 9 CFR
94.1(a).
The meat comes from carcasses that were allowed to maturate at 40 to 50˚F (4 to 10˚C)
for a minimum of 24 hours after slaughter and that reached a pH of 6.0 in the loin muscle
at the end of the maturation period. Measurements of pH must be taken at the middle of
both longissimus dorsi muscles. Any carcass in which pH does not reach less than 6.0
may be allowed to maturate an additional 24 hours and be retested, and if the carcass still
has not reached a pH of less than 6.0 after 48 hours, the meat from the carcass may not be
exported to the United States.

9 CFR §94.29. Brazil - Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate (Foreign Government)
Imported beef from the specific regions in Brazil must be accompanied by a foreign meat
inspection certificate that is completed and signed by an authorized veterinary official of the
Brazilian Government to ensure that the beef and beef products are safe for importation.
The certificate must verify:
• The meat is beef from bovines that have been born, raised, and slaughtered in the specific
region of Brazil set forth in the regulations.
• FMD has not been diagnosed in the specific region of Brazil within the previous 12
months.
• The beef came from bovines that originated from premises where FMD has not been
present during the lifetime of any bovines slaughtered for the export of beef to the United
States.
• The beef came from bovines that were moved directly from the premises of origin to the
slaughtering establishment without any contact with other animals.
• The beef came from bovines that received antemortem and postmortem veterinary
inspections, paying particular attention to the head and feet, at the slaughtering
establishment, with no evidence found of vesicular disease.
• The beef consists only of bovine parts that are, by standard practice, part of the animal’s
carcass that is placed in a chiller for maturation after slaughter. Bovine parts that may not
be imported include all parts of bovine heads, feet, hump, hooves, and internal organs.
• All bone and visually identifiable blood clots and lymphoid tissue have been removed
from the beef.
• The beef has not been in contact with meat from regions other than those listed in
9 CFR 94.1(a)(2).
• The beef came from bovine carcasses that were allowed to maturate at 40 to 50˚F
(4 to 10˚C) for a minimum of 36 hours after slaughter and that reached a pH of 5.8 or less
in the loin muscle at the end of the maturation period. Measurements for pH must be
taken at the middle of both longissimus dorsi muscles. Any carcass in which the pH does
not reach 5.8 or less may be allowed to maturate an additional 24 hours and be retested,
and if the carcass still has not reached a pH of 5.8 or less after 60 hours, the meat from
the carcass may not be exported to the United States.
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9 CFR §94.29(k). Onsite Evaluation and Inspection (and recordkeeping) (Business)
To verify that facilities processing beef and beef products from Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil
are following the procedures necessary to lead to the results listed in the Foreign Meat Inspection
Certificate, APHIS requires the establishment in which bovines are slaughtered to allow periodic
on-site evaluation and subsequent inspection of their facilities, records, and operations by an
APHIS representative. Facility personnel must participate in the evaluation and inspection which
include, but are not limited to, supplying necessary records. APHIS requires facilities to retain
for at least 2 years, all necessary records used for the onsite evaluation and inspection process.

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.
For trade partners who have fully automated systems, we will be accepting computer extracts of
electronic health certification data. These certificates are included in the government wide
utilization of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) via the Automated Commercial
Environment (ACE) to improve business operations and further Agency missions.
The evaluations and inspections physically take place at facilities and is therefore not a candidate
for electronic submission.
Facilities may use electronic recordkeeping systems.

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 exotic 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.
The information APHIS collects is the absolute minimum needed to effectively evaluate the
FMD risk associated with ovine and beef product imports from Uruguay as well as beef and beef
products from Argentina and Brazil. The veterinarians who complete the required forms are
considered foreign entities and thus are not “small entities” for purposes of Executive Order
12866 or the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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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 was collected less frequently or not collected, APHIS would be unable to
establish an effective defense against the entry and spread of FMD and other animal diseases
from Uruguay beef and ovine product imports as well as imports of beef and beef products from
Argentina and Brazil. The result would cause serious health consequences for U.S. livestock and
economic consequences for the U.S. livestock industry.

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;
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of
information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

•

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 3 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.

•

No special circumstances exist that would require this information collection to be conducted in
a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines 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,
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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.
APHIS consulted with the following individuals concerning the information collection activities
associated with this program:
Peter Orwick
American Sheep Industry Association
9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360
Englewood, CO 80112
(304) 771-3500
Elizabeth Parker
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
9110 E. Nichols Ave. #300
Centennial, CO 80112
(303) 694-0305
Leonard Lang
Import Export Associates
2034 Coast Guard Dr.
Stafford, VA 22554
(540) 848-5384
On Tuesday, March 28, 2017, pages 15316-15317, Volume 82, 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.
One comment was received from a concerned citizen about their perception of the general
maltreatment of animals. It had no relevance to the purpose of the collection.

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.
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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 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 Uruguayan,
Argentinian, and Brazilian Federal animal health authorities who will be completing the
certificates necessary to export ovine meat, beef, and beef products to the United States, as well
as managers of facilities preparing the meat and products for export.
• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections
of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
Respondents are authorized veterinary officials employed by the Governments of Uruguay,
Argentina, and Brazil, as well as managers of foreign facilities that process meat and meat
products. APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to these respondents to be $609,824. APHIS
arrived at this figure by multiplying the hours of estimated response time (14,755 hours) by the
estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($41).
The hourly rate for Uruguayan and Brazilian Federal veterinarians ($20) was determined through
discussions with international contacts based in Uruguay and Brazil. The hourly rate for
Argentine Federal veterinarians ($50) was determined through inquiry on SalaryExpert.com.
Industry contacts provided the hourly wage of managers of foreign facilities that process animal
products in Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil to be $54.

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
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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 $744,788. (See APHIS Form 79.)
See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salarytables/pdf/2017/DCB_h.pdf

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB Form 83-1.
Program Program
Change
Change
Change
Change
Due to
Due to
Previously
Due to Adjustment Potential
Requested Due to
Approved
New
Agency in Agency Violation
Statute Discretion Estimate of the PRA
15,222
0
15,200
17
0
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Annual
Number of
Responses
Annual Time 14,802
Burden (Hr)
Annual Cost 0
Burden ($)

0
0

14,769
0

25

0

8

0

0

0

Overall there is an increase of 15,217 responses and increase of 14,794 total burden hours due to
adjustments, program changes, and violations (listed as program changes in ROCIS).
There is an adjustment resulting in an increase of 17 responses and 25 total burden hours due to
an increase in imports of ovine meat from Uruguay owing to an increase demand.
There is a program change resulting in an increase of 488 responses and 200 total burden hours
due to merging 0579-0414 and 0579-0428 into this combined information collection, 0579-0372.
•

0579-0414:
o Foreign Meat Inspection Certification (+66 responses and +66 total burden
hours).
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o Onsite Evaluation And Inspection (+5 responses, +10 total burden hours, +162
recordkeepers, and +13 total recordkeeping hours).
•

0579-0428:
o Foreign Meat Inspection Certification (+88 responses and +88 total burden
hours).
o Onsite Evaluation And Inspection (+5 responses, +10 total burden hours, +162
recordkeepers, and +13 total recordkeeping hours).

There is a violation (listed in ROCIS as a program change) resulting in an increase of 14,712
responses and an increase of 14,569 total burden hours.
The Foreign Meat Inspection Certificate (+14,545 responses and +14,545 total burden hours) and
the Onsite Evaluation and Inspection (+5 responses, +162 recordkeepers, + 10 total burden
hours, and +14 total recordkeeping hours) for beef from Uruguay were inadvertently previously
not included in an information collection package, but APHIS is requesting approval now.

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans
for tabulation and publication.
APHIS has no plans to publish the 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.
There are no forms associated with this information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the "Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions in the Act.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Statistical methods are not employed in this information collection activity.

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