0579-0393 2017 SS (Secured)

June 2017
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE);
IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
OMB NO. 0579-0393
NOTE: This information collection merges two currently approved information collections,
OMB control number 0579-0393, “Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines
and Bovine Products”, and 0579-0234, “Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of
Animals and Animal Products”. After OMB approves this combined information collection
package, APHIS will retire OMB control number 0579-0234, and rename OMB control number
0579-0393 as “Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Animals and Animal Products”.
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, of 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 in the world market of animal and animal product trade. To guard
against the introduction of animal diseases, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
regulates the importation of animals and animal products into the United States. The regulations in
Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 92 through 98, govern the importation of certain animals,
birds, poultry, meat, other animal products and byproducts, hay, and straw. It also contains measures
for preventing the introduction of various animal diseases into the United States.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the central
nervous system of cattle. Authority for preventing incursion of this disease into the United States is
contained within 9 CFR 92 through 95. APHIS bases its classification of the BSE risk status of a region
on the results of an evaluation of BSE risk posed by that region. It bases its classification of the BSE risk
status of a country using the risk evaluation and classification provided by the OIE (World Organization
for Animal Health). If an evaluation and classification is not available, APHIS will conduct the evaluation
upon request using criteria equivalent to that of the OIE. The risk assessments are based on information
collected using various forms and certificates generated during the international movement of cattle.
Importers wishing to bring animals and animal products into the United States must provide shipment
information to the USDA APHIS for approval. The information collected is used to prevent the
introduction of diseases such as BSE into the United States.
APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for an additional 3 years, its use of these information collection
activities in connection with its program to identify and prevent diseases such as BSE from being
imported into the United States by animals and animal products.
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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.
APHIS uses the following information collection activities to prevent the incursion of BSE into the
United States.
Blood and Blood Products Certification; (9 CFR 95.12(c)) (Business and Foreign Government)
Each shipment of blood and blood products to the United States must be accompanied by certification that
the requirements in 9 CFR 95.12 have been met. The shipment must be accompanied by a certificate
issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the region of origin, or
issued by a veterinarian designated by the national government of the region of origin and endorsed by a
full-time salaried veterinary officer of the exporting region, representing that the veterinarian issuing the
certificate was authorized to do so.
Official Identification; (9 CFR 93.401(c), 93.419, 93.420(b)(2), 93.427(c, d)) (Business and Foreign
Government)
Before an animal’s arrival at the port of entry into the United States, it must be officially identified with
approved, unique individual identification that is traceable to the premises of origin of the animal,
including, but not limited to, official tags, tattoos, and registered brands when accompanied by a
certificate of inspection from a recognized brand inspection authority. No person may alter, deface,
remove, or otherwise tamper with the official identification while the animal is in the United States or
moving into or through the United States, except that the identification may be removed at slaughter.
Recordkeeping: Official Identification; (9 CFR 93.401(c), 93.419, 93.420(b)(2), 93.427(c, d))
(Business and Foreign Government) (New, PRA violation)
Records of identification must be kept for 5 years to facilitate the tracing of disease outbreaks and the
movement of sick animals.
Request for Classification as Negligible or Controlled Risk; (9 CFR 92.5(a, b)) (Foreign
Government)
A region that has not received classification by the OIE as either negligible risk or controlled risk, and
wishes to be classified by APHIS as negligible risk or controlled risk, must submit to the Administrator a
request for such classification along with documentation sufficient to allow APHIS to evaluate whether
the country or other region meets the criteria for the classification. A list of the documentation required
can be accessed on the APHIS website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animaland-animal-product-import-information/import-live-animals/ct_import_live_animals.
Retention of Classification as Either Negligible Risk or Controlled Risk; (9 CFR 92.5(c)) (Foreign
Government)
A region classified by APHIS as negligible or controlled risk after being so classified by the OIE must
submit to the OIE a written request to retain such classification beyond 1 year. A region that was
classified as negligible risk or controlled risk by APHIS but not by the OIE must submit such information
to APHIS. The required information includes documentation of the following: (1) relevant changes in
BSE legislation, compared to the previous year; (2) the importation into the region during the year of
cattle, processed animal protein, and products containing processed animal protein; (3) audit findings in
rendering plants and feed mills that process ruminant materials or material from mixed species that
contains ruminant material, and related to the prohibition of the feeding to ruminants of processed animal
protein; (4) audit findings in rendering plants and feed mills that process non-ruminant material, and
related to the prohibition of the feeding to ruminants of processed animal protein; (5) infractions at the
types of facilities listed above; (6) if and why, in light of the audit findings, there has been no significant
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exposure of cattle to the BSE agent through consumption of processed animal protein of bovine origin;
(7) surveillance efforts; (8) all clinical BSE suspects; and (9) any new cases of BSE.
Recordkeeping: Enforcement of a Ruminant-to-Ruminant Feed Ban; (9 CFR 92.6) (Foreign
Government)
For APHIS to determine the eligibility of live bovines for importation from a region classified as BSE
negligible risk or BSE controlled risk, APHIS must determine the date from which a ban on the feeding of
ruminant material to ruminants has been effectively enforced. To enable APHIS to make such a
determination, a BSE negligible risk or controlled risk region must maintain documentation for 8 years
(to conform with the time the updated feed ban codified at 21 CFR 589.2000 has been in place) and must
make the documentation available to APHIS.
Declaration of Importation, (VS 17-29); (9 CFR 93.418(d), 93.420(b), 93.427 (c, d)) (Business)
The importer, or importer’s designated agent, completes an original copy of the VS Form 17-29 to be
presented to the Collector of Customs at a port of arrival for appropriate distribution. The applicant
provides such information as the applicant's name and address, the name and address of the individual
exporting the animal or animals (or embryo/germplasm), the type and number of animals being shipped,
the intended use of the animals, and the origin and destination points of the material or product being
shipped. The information contained in the VS Form 17-29 enables APHIS to determine if the shipment
qualifies for import into the United States.
Written Notification for Transit of Articles; (9 CFR 94.27; 9 CFR 95.15) (Business)
Shippers moving the articles (i.e., meat, meat products, and other edible products derived from bovines,
ovines, or caprines moving in accordance with this section) must notify the inspector at both the place in
the United States where the articles will arrive and the port of export before such transit. The notification
must include the (1) times and dates of arrival in the United States, (2) times and dates of exportation
from the United States, (3) mode of transportation, and (4) serial numbers of the sealed containers.
Export Certificate from Canada; (9 CFR 93.418, 93.420) (Business)
Exporters must complete a certificate serving as the official identification for the animals. The original
hard copy must accompany the shipment. The certificate must identify the destination of the animals, and
requires signatures of the Canadian accredited veterinarian and the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency
veterinarian.
Bovine Imports from Mexico; (9 CFR 93.427) (Business)
In addition to meeting all other applicable requirements for export, bovines from Mexico may only be
imported in accordance with 9 CFR 93.436.
Bovine Export Health Certificate: Risk Classification; (9 CFR 93.405, 93.406, 93.407, 93.420,
93.436) (Foreign Government)
Bovines entering the United States must be accompanied by a certificate issued by a full-time salaried
veterinary officer of the national government of the region of origin, or issued by a veterinarian
designated or accredited by the national government of the region of origin and endorsed by a full-time
salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region. The certificate must state
that the veterinarian issuing the certificate is authorized to do so, and state that the region of export of the
bovines is classified by APHIS as a negligible risk where there has been no indigenous case of BSE.
For animals from a region of controlled risk for BSE, the animals must be accompanied by an original
certificate issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting
region, representing that the veterinarian issuing the certificate is authorized to do so, and the certificate
attests to the BSE risk classification of the exporting region. Further, the certificate must attest that the
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animals are identified with unique individual identification traceable to the premises of origin (including,
but not limited to, official tags, tattoos, and registered brands when accompanied by a certificate of
inspection from a recognized brand inspection authority); the animals are permanently and humanely
identified before arrival at the port of entry with a distinct and legible mark identifying the exporting
country; and that the animals were born after the date from which the ban on the feeding of ruminants
meat-and-bone meal or greaves derived from ruminants has been effectively enforced.
Commodities Export Health Certificate: Risk Classification; (9 CFR 94.19; 94.20; 94.21) (Foreign
Government)
Commodities must be accompanied by an original certificate stating that the region of export is a BSE
negligible risk, controlled risk, or undetermined risk region. The certificate must be issued by a full-time
salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the region of export, or issued by a veterinarian
designated by the national government of the region of export and endorsed by a full-time salaried
veterinary officer of the region of export, representing that the veterinarian issuing the certificate was
authorized to do so.
The certificates must state for regions of negligible risk: (1) the commodities were exported from a
region of negligible risk for BSE; (2) if BSE has been diagnosed in one or more indigenous bovines in the
region of negligible risk, the commodities were derived from bovines subject to a ban on the feeding to
ruminants of meat-and-bone meal or greaves derived from ruminants; (3) the commodities were derived
from bovines that passed ante-mortem and postmortem inspections.
For regions of controlled risk, the certificates must state: (1) the commodities were exported from a
region of controlled risk for BSE; (2) the commodities were derived from bovines that passed antemortem and postmortem inspections; (3) the commodities were derived from bovines that were not
subjected to a stunning process, prior to slaughter, with a device injecting compressed air or gas into the
cranial cavity, or a pithing process; (4) the commodities were produced and handled in a manner that
ensured that such commodities do not contain and are not contaminated with either specified risk
materials (SRMs) from regions of controlled risk for BSE, or mechanically separated meat from the skull
and vertebral column from bovines 30 months of age or older.
For regions of unspecified risk, the certificates must state: (1) the commodities were derived from
bovines that have never been fed meat-and-bone meal or greaves derived from ruminants; (2) the
commodities were derived from bovines that passed ante-mortem and postmortem inspections; (3) the
commodities were derived from bovines that were not subjected to a stunning process, prior to slaughter,
with a device injecting compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity, or to a pithing process; (4) the
commodities were produced and handled in a manner that ensured that such commodities do not contain
and are not contaminated with any SRMs from regions of undetermined risk for BSE, or mechanically
separated meat from the skull and vertebral column from bovines over 12 months of age.
Export Health Certificate: Gelatin; (9 CFR 94.23, 94.26) (Foreign Government)
Imported gelatin derived from bovines, horses, or swine; or from ovines or caprines from APHISapproved regions, must be accompanied by a certificate that indicates the BSE risk classification of the
region of export. The certificate must be issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national
government of the region of export (for bovines) or origin (for other animals), or issued by a veterinarian
designated by the national government of the region of export/origin and endorsed by a full-time salaried
veterinary officer of the region of export/origin, representing that the veterinarian issuing the certificate
was authorized to do so.

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Application for United States Veterinary Permit for Importation and Transportation of Controlled
Materials and Organisms and Vectors (VS Form 16-3); (9 CFR 95.4) (Business) (includes burden
merged from 0579-0234)
Under 9 CFR parts 94 and 95, the following are allowed into the United States under certain conditions to
prevent the introduction of BSE: (1) processed animal proteins, tankage, offal, and tallow other than
tallow derivatives (9 CFR 95.4(b)) (2) processed fats and oils, and derivatives of processed animal
protein, tankage, and offal (9 CFR 95.4(b)) (3) glands, unprocessed fat tissue, and blood and blood
products (9 CFR 95.4(b)) (4) serum albumin, serocolostrum, amniotic liquids or extracts, and placental
liquids and collagen and collagen products derived from ovines or caprines (9 CFR 95.4(e)) (5) insulin (9
CFR 95.4(f)) (6) processed animal protein derived from ruminants (9 CFR 95.5) and animals other than
ruminants (9 CFR 95.13 and 14) (7) transit shipment of articles listed in 9 CFR 95.15; (8) gelatin (9 CFR
94.23, 9 CFR 94.26) (10) meat, meat products, and other edible products derived from bovines, ovines, or
caprines (9 CFR 18-25) (11) collagen and collagen products derived from bovines (9 CFR 95.7) (12)
bovine-derived tallow (9 CFR 95.8) (13) tallow derivatives from bovines (9 CFR 95.9) (14) dicalcium
phosphate derived from bovines (9 CFR 95.10); and (15) specified risk materials (9 CFR 95.11).
Anyone who imports these materials or products into the United States must apply for and obtain from
APHIS a U.S. veterinary permit for importation and transportation of controlled materials, organisms, and
vectors. This permit is obtained by completing a VS Form 16-3, Application for Permit To Import or
Transport Controlled Material or Organisms or Vectors. The form is available online and can be
submitted manually or online via ePermits if the user chooses to register for eAuthentication. The form
contains the applicant's name and address, the name and address of the exporter (shipper or
manufacturer), the material or product type (including a list of ingredients of animal origin), the
approximate amount of material or product being shipped, any treatment the material has undergone
before export, and the intended use of the material or product. Information contained in the VS Form 16-3
enables APHIS to determine whether the shipment qualifies for import into the United States.
Recordkeeping: Proof of Legally Harvested Meat or Dressed Carcass; (9 CFR 94.22) (Individual)
Legally harvested meat or dressed carcass must be derived from an animal that has been legally harvested
in the wild as verified by proof such as a hunting license, tag, or the equivalent that the hunter or hobbyist
must show to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. APHIS asks that records be kept for 3 years.
Permit for the Import of Serum; (9 CFR 95.4(d)) (Business)
The importation of serum from ovines or caprines that have been in any region identified by APHIS as at
risk for BSE is prohibited, except that serum from ovines or caprines may be imported for scientific,
educational, or research purposes if the Administrator determines that the importation can be made under
conditions that will prevent the introduction of BSE into the United States. Serum from ovines and
caprines imported must be accompanied by a permit issued by APHIS. The permit and application
process are the same as that described above for controlled materials, organisms and vectors (i.e., the
VS 16-3 application and VS 16-6a permit).
Original Certificate for Processed Animal Protein, Offal, Tankage, Fat, Glands, Certain Tallow
Other Than Certain Tallow Derivatives, and Serum; (9 CFR 95.4) (Foreign Government)
Processed animal protein, offal, tankage, fat, glands, certain tallow other than tallow derivatives, and
serum derived from ovines or caprines, may be imported if, among other requirements, each shipment to
the United States is accompanied by an original certificate signed by a full-time, salaried veterinarian of
the government agency responsible for animal health in the region of export certifying that the required
conditions have been met; except that, for shipments of animal feed from Canada, the certificate may be
signed by a person authorized to issue such certificates by the veterinary services of the national
government of the region of origin.

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Certificate to Import Ruminant-Derived Processed Animal Protein; (9 CFR 95.5) (Foreign
Government)
(Previously titled Certificate to Import Meat-and-Bone Meal and Greaves Derived from Bovines)
The importation of ruminant-derived processed animal protein, or any commodities containing such
products, is prohibited unless, among other requirements, each shipment to the United States is
accompanied by an original certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national
government of the exporting region, or issued by a veterinarian designated by the national government of
the exporting region and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of
the exporting region, representing that the veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized to do so. The
certificate must state the exporting region and that the requirements of 9 CFR 95.5 have been met.
Certificate to Import Collagen Derived From Bovines; (9 CFR 95.7) (Foreign Government)
The importation of collagen derived from bovines is prohibited because of BSE, unless, among other
requirements, each shipment is accompanied to the United States by a certificate that indicates the BSE
risk classification of the exporting region and that the conditions of 9 CFR 95.7 have been met. The
certificate must be issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the
exporting region, or issued by a veterinarian designated by the national government of the exporting
region and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the exporting region, representing that the
veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized to do so.
Certificate to Import Derivatives of Tallow Derived From Bovines; (9 CFR 95.8, 95.9) (Foreign
Government)
The importation of tallow derived from bovines and its derivatives is prohibited, unless, among other
requirements, each shipment to the United States is accompanied by an original certificate signed by a
full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region, or issued by a
veterinarian designated by the national government of the exporting region and endorsed by a full-time
salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region, representing that the
veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized to do so.
Certificate to Import Dicalcium Phosphate Derived From Bovines; (9 CFR 95.10) (Foreign
Government)
The importation of dicalcium phosphate derived from bovines is prohibited, unless, among other
requirements, each shipment to the United States is accompanied by an original certificate signed by a
full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region, or issued by a
veterinarian designated by the national government of the exporting region and endorsed by a full-time
salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region, representing that the
veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized to do so. The certificate must indicate the BSE risk
classification of the exporting region and state that the requirements of 9 CFR 95.10 have been met.
Certificate to Import Processed Animal Protein Derived From Animals Other Than Ruminants
From BSE Negligible Risk or Controlled Risk Regions; (9 CFR 95.13, 95.14) (Foreign Government)
The importation of processed animal protein derived from animals other than ruminants from BSE
negligible risk or controlled risk regions is prohibited, unless, among other requirements, each shipment to
the United States is accompanied by an original certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer
of the national government of the exporting region, or issued by a veterinarian designated by the national
government of the exporting region and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national
government of the exporting region, representing that the veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized
to do so. The certificate must state that the processed animal protein is not of ruminant origin and that
conditions of 9 CFR 95.13 and 95.14 have been met.

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Certificate for Inedible Processed Ovine/Caprine Origin Materials and Products from a Region Not
Listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4); (9 CFR 95.40) (Foreign Government) (merged from 0579-0234)
Under 9 CFR 95.40, each shipment to the United States of inedible processed animal protein or inedible
products containing processed animal proteins derived from ovines and caprines that originates from a
region not listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4) must be accompanied by an original certificate completed and
signed by a full-time, salaried veterinarian of the government agency responsible for animal health in the
exporting region. This certificate must state the species of animal from which the material or product was
derived, as well as the region or regions in which any facility processing the material or product is
located. Additionally, the certificate must state that the material or product was derived only from animals
that have never resided in a region listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4), and that the material or product did not
originate in or was never associated with materials originating in a region listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4), and
was never stored, rendered, or otherwise processed in a region listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4). These regions
must be listed specifically. The certificate must clearly correspond to the shipment by means of an invoice
number, shipping marks, lot number, or other method of identification. The original signed certificate
must also be presented to Customs and Border Protection agricultural inspectors when the shipment
arrives in the United States.
Cooperative Service Agreement (Signature Only); (9 CFR 95.4(c)(5, 6)) (Business) (merged from
0579-0234)
APHIS requires that foreign facilities that intend to export eligible products to the United States but that
also process and store materials ineligible for export (regulated materials from regions listed in 9 CFR
95.4(a)(4)) must enter into a cooperative agreement with APHIS that allows APHIS to inspect the facility
annually to ensure the facility takes appropriate steps to prevent cross-contamination. This agreement,
executed by the operator of the facility, is a signature-only document under 9 CFR 95.4(c)(5)and (6).
Certification Statement for Ovine/Caprine Products from Regions Listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4), and
for Inedible Processed Animal Proteins Derived from Ovines/Caprines (Signature Only); (9 CFR
95.4) (Foreign Government) (merged from 0579-0234)
APHIS allows the entry into the United States of the following products if they are accompanied by an
original signed certification statement that certain conditions were met: (1) ovine/caprine products from
regions listed in 9 CFR 95.4(a)(4); (2) processed animal protein derived from ovines/caprines (9 CFR
95.5).
The certification statement, which is a preprinted, signature-only-document, must certify that the
commodities meet the requirements stated in 9 CFR 95.4. APHIS believes that commodities meeting
these conditions are unlikely to contain the BSE agent. The statement must be signed by a full-time
salaried veterinary officer of the agency responsible for animal health, or authorized veterinary official,
from the national government of the region of origin or export.
Health Certification and Seals; (9 CFR 93.419(d), 93.420(a)(2)) (Foreign Government) (merged
from 0579-0234, previously titled “Seals”)
Owing to its long land border with the United States, Canada is specified in the regulations relating to live
animals although it is not the only risk-designated import area. Animals for immediate slaughter purposes
from Canada entering the United States require an official health certificate issued by a veterinarian
designated by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and endorsed by a veterinarian employed by
CFIA attesting to the certifications and tests for import.
The official health certificate for bovines must include: (1) name and address of the importer; (2) species,
breed, and number of animals to be imported; (3) purpose of the importation; (4) individual identification,
which includes the official Canadian eartag number or other approved forms of individual identification,
and any other identification present on the animal, including registration number and brands; (5)
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description of the bovines, including age in months, sex, breed, and markings (if any), as well as
region/country of origin; (6) address or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other
premises where the bovines resided immediately prior to export; (7) specific physical location of the
APHIS-approved slaughtering establishment, including the applicable Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) establishment number for bovines for immediate slaughter; (8) name and address of the exporter;
and (9) port of embarkation in Canada, the mode of transportation, route of travel (slaughter animals), and
port of entry in the United States.
The animals must be inspected and moved as a group directly from the U.S. port of entry to the APHISapproved slaughtering establishment in conveyances that are sealed with seals of the U.S. government at
the port of entry. The route of travel from the port of entry to the approved slaughtering establishment
must be listed on the health certificate. The seals may be broken only at the APHIS-approved slaughtering
establishment by an authorized USDA representative.
The official health certificate for sheep and goats must include: (1) name and address of the importer; (2)
species, breed, number or quantity of ruminants to be imported; (3) purpose of the importation; (4)
individual ruminant identification, which includes the official identification required under 9 CFR
93.419(c), and any other identification present on the animal, including registration number, if any; (5) a
description of the ruminant, including age, color, and markings, if any; (6) region of origin; (7) address of
or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other premises where the ruminants resided
immediately prior to export, including the State or its equivalent, the municipality or nearest city, or an
equivalent method, approved by the Administrator, of identifying the location of the premises; (8) specific
physical location of the destination where the ruminants are to be moved after importation; (9) name and
address of the exporter; (10) port of embarkation in the foreign region; and the mode of transportation;
(11) route of travel; and (12) port of entry in the United States.
Sheep and goats imported from Canada for immediate slaughter must be imported through a U.S. port of
entry listed in 9 CFR 93.403(b) or as provided for in 9 CFR 93.403(f) in a means of conveyance sealed in
Canada with seals of the Canadian Government, and must be moved directly as a group from the port of
entry to a recognized slaughtering establishment for slaughter as a group. The sheep and goats are
inspected at the port of entry and otherwise handled in accordance with 9 CFR 93.408. The seals on the
means of conveyance must be broken only at the port of entry by the APHIS port veterinarian or at the
recognized slaughtering establishment by an authorized USDA representative. If the seals are broken by
the APHIS port veterinarian at the port of entry, the means of conveyance must be resealed with seals of
the U.S. Government before being moved to the recognized slaughtering establishment. The use of seals
ensures that these animals are moved directly to slaughter and are not inadvertently (or intentionally)
diverted to any other destination.
Notification of Designation of Persons Authorized to Break Seals; (9 CFR 93.419) (Business)
(merged from 0579-0234)
To designate an employee to break official seals, APHIS requires the local accredited veterinarian first
supply the name of the designated individual to the pertinent APHIS Veterinary Services District official
in the State where the seals will be broken. This designation can take the form of a letter, a memorandum,
an email, or whatever means of communication the accredited veterinarian finds most effective. The
information is only used to verify that the person who broke the seal had the proper authority to do so.
The information is collected as often as new designees are deemed necessary.
Agreement with Slaughter Facilities Concerning the Use of Seals on Conveyances Transporting
Animals from Canada; (9 CFR 93.420) (Business) (merged from 0579-0234)
The management of the slaughter facility receiving animals from Canada must agree in writing that only
designated individuals will break the seals.
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Notification Regarding Conditions of Sealed Shipments; (9 CFR 93.420) (Business) (merged from
0579-0234)
The management of the slaughter facility will, under the agreement concerning the use of seals on
conveyances transporting animals from Canada, notify an APHIS representative or FSIS inspector
immediately if the seals are not intact when the means of conveyance arrives or if the animals being
transported appear to be sick or injured due to transport conditions, and that the facility will cooperate
with APHIS representatives and FSIS inspectors by notifying them when sealed shipments are received.
Animals Imported for Immediate Slaughter (VS Form 17-33); (9 CFR 93.405, 93.419(d),
93.420(a)(3), 93.436) (Business) (merged from 0579-0234)
APHIS allows certain animals to be imported into the United States from Canada if they are moved from
the U.S. port of entry directly to a slaughtering establishment. These animals must be accompanied from
the U.S. port of entry by VS Form 17-33, Animals Imported for Immediate Slaughter. These animals are
generally bovines or sheep and/or goats less than 12 months of age.
The VS Form 17-33 is used exclusively to ensure regulated animals are moved directly to slaughter after
entering the United States and not to any other destination. At the time animals are loaded and ready for
transport, information is obtained from the animal owner (or the owner’s representative) by appropriate
Federal personnel such as port veterinary medical officers, who complete the first section of the form.
This information includes the owner’s name and address, the points of origin and destination of the
animals, the number of animals being moved, the purpose of the movement, and various pieces of animal
identification data so that each animal in the shipment can be identified. The form then accompanies the
shipment to its destination.
When the animals arrive at the slaughtering facility, slaughter plant personnel complete the second
section of the VS Form 17-33 certifying that all the animals have been received at the facility, and that the
animals were held in pens until slaughter to prevent contact with animals not scheduled for immediate
slaughter. This section includes the name and address of the slaughter establishment, the date the animals
were slaughtered, and the signature and title of the slaughter establishment official completing the form.
A third section of the VS Form 17-33 is completed by a Federal veterinarian at the slaughtering facility
who signs and dates the form. In this section, the veterinarian certifies that the slaughtered animals—
following a postmortem examination—did not show lesions suggestive of tuberculosis, the only
reportable disease of interest that can be observed via postmortem lesions.
Certification Statement for Sheep and Goats from Canada (Signature Only); (9 CFR 93.419,
93.436) (Foreign Government) (merged from 0579-0234 and previously titled “Certification
Statement for Ruminants (Signature Only)”)
All sheep and goats entering the United States from Canada must be accompanied to the slaughtering
establishment by a certificate issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government
of the region of origin (or issued by a veterinarian designated or accredited by the national government of
the region of origin and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of
the region of origin) certifying that certain conditions were met before the animals arrived at the U.S. port
of entry.
This certificate is a preprinted, signature-only document requiring specific information (premise of
origin, name and address of the importer; species, breed, number or quantity of ruminants to be imported;
the purpose of the importation; and individual ruminant identification) per 9 CFR 93.405 (a)(4)). The
certificate must also list a number of pre-import conditions that must be met, including: (1) the sheep and
goats must not be pregnant, (2) the sheep and goats are under 12 months of age, and (3) the sheep and

9

goats are not known to have been fed prohibited products during their lifetime equivalent to the
requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 21 CFR 589.2000.
This certification requirement helps to ensure that animals entering the United States from Canada pose
the most negligible risk possible of introducing BSE into the United States.
Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots (VS Form 17-130); (9 CFR 93.419(e)(2),
93.436) (Business) (merged from 0579-0234)
VS Form 17-130 must be prepared when sheep or goats are imported from Canada for feeding at a
designated feedlot. The VS Form 17-130 must be completed at the feedlot by an accredited veterinarian
or other designated individual. The form must include the name, address, phone number, and ZIP code of
that individual; the number of animals consigned to the feedlot; the species of animals consigned to the
feedlot; the license number of the truck or trailer carrying the animals to the feedlot; the seal numbers on
the truck; the names and addresses of the consignor and the consignee (including ZIP code and phone
number); the name and address of the feedlot; and the name and address of the port veterinarian to whom
the form is returned. The form must be returned to the port veterinarian within 14 days of consignment.
Recordkeeping: Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots (VS Form 17-130); (9 CFR
93.419(e)(2), 93.436) (Business) (New, PRA violation)
VS Form 17-130 records must be kept for 5 years to facilitate the tracing of disease outbreaks and the
movement of sick animals.
Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals (VS Form 1-27); (9 CFR 93.419(e)(5), 93.436)
(Business) (merged from 0579-0234)
This permit identifies restricted animals moved for quarantine or slaughter purposes. The information is
needed to identify infected or exposed animals moved to specific locations to control and prevent spread
of disease. The form must include the name, address, and ZIP code of the owner or shipper and of the
destination; an indication whether the animals are moved for quarantine or slaughter; the animals’ disease
status and the status of their area of origin; the number, species, and identification information of the
animals moved; the license number of the transport vehicle; the seal number; and signatures and dates
from the inspector, owner or shipper, and the recipient of the animals. The form is prepared by VS
personnel using information provided by importers. Copies of the forms must be kept for 5 years.
Notice of Transfer - Animal Products; (9 CFR 94.15(e)) (Business) (New, PRA violation)
APHIS generally does not require notice of arrival for animal products. However, 9 CFR 94.15(e)
specifies that any meat or other animal product not otherwise eligible for entry into the United States may
transit the United States for immediate export if the importer notifies the APHIS officer at the U.S. port of
arrival of the transiting of such meat or other animal product prior to such transiting; such transit is
limited to the maritime or airport port of arrival only, with no overland movement outside the airport
terminal area or dock area of the maritime port; and the meat or other animal product is not held or stored
for more than 72 hours at the maritime or airport port of arrival.

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.
VS Form 17-29, Declaration of Importation, is available in fillable PDF format at the APHIS website
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/vs17_29.pdf. The form can also be processed via the VS
10

Process Streamlining (VSPS) data entry system at https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/Login.do.
Completed forms can then be submitted by fax, mail, or email, or resaved in PDF and uploaded into the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBPs) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data
Portal. APHIS is involved with the Government-wide utilization of the International Trade Data System
(ITDS) via ACE to improve business operations and further Agency missions. This allows respondents to
submit the data required by CBP and its Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), such as APHIS, through a
Single Window concept.
VS Form 16-3, Application for Permit To Import or Transport Controlled Material or Organisms, is
available in fillable PDF format at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/VS_16_3.pdf. Users
may also use ePermits (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/permits/ct_learn_epermits).
VS Form 17-33, Animals Imported for Immediate Slaughter, is a controlled form and not available to the
public. Authorized personnel (accredited veterinarians) may complete the form online via the Veterinary
Services Process Streamlining (VSPS) IT system at https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/Login.do.
VS Form 17-130, Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots, and VS Form 1-27, Permit for
Movement of Restricted Animals, are available electronically through the APHIS VSPS application at
https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/Login.do.
The following activities may be prepared and submitted to APHIS via email: Request for Classification
as Negligible Risk or Controlled Risk, Written Notification for Transit of Articles, Notification of
Designation of Persons Authorized to Break Seals, Notification Regarding Conditions of Sealed
Shipments, and Notice of Transfer - Animal Products.
Five burdens are prepared as memoranda and mailed to APHIS. They are Agreement with Slaughter
Facilities Concerning the Use of Seals on Conveyances Transporting Animals from Canada, Certification
Statement for Ovine/Caprine Products...and for Inedible Processed Animal Proteins Derived from
Ovines/Caprines, Cooperative Service Agreement, Permit for the Import of Serum, and Retention of
Classification as Either Negligible or Controlled Risk. Each of these burdens require original signatures
on the documents.
For the recordkeeping burdens, methods for storing records are at the discretion of record keepers. The
requirement is for information in the records to be available to APHIS if and when requested.
The many certificates required by this program that are provided by foreign governments are unique to
the region of origin and cannot be managed by APHIS. Moreover, these documents require original
signatures and seals to be valid.
Animal identifications such as tattoos and tags are permanent and become part of the animals to which
they are attached.

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 that APHIS collects is not available from any other source. APHIS is the only Federal
Agency responsible for preventing the incursion of exotic animal diseases into the United States.

11

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any
methods used to minimize burden.
About 70 percent of the business respondents are small businesses. The information collected for this
program is the minimum required by the USDA, and the effects of these information collection activities
on a substantial amount of the small businesses and other respondents is expected to be minimal.

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.
Collecting this information less frequently or failing to collect it would make it impossible for APHIS to
effectively prevent BSE-contaminated animals and animal products from entering the United States, and
to track movement of any imported BSE-contaminated animals or products within the United States postarrival. A BSE outbreak in the United States could have serious economic consequences for the U.S.
livestock industry if not identified and mitigated early.

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;

Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots (VS 17-130)
Prepared at the feedlot by an accredited veterinarian or other designated individual, this form must be
returned to the port veterinarian within 14 days of consignment to report the animals’ arrival at the
feedlot.
•

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;

Recordkeeping: Official Identification, Recordkeeping: Ruminants Imported to Designated/
Approved Feedlots (VS 17-130), and Permits for Movement of Restricted Animals (VS 1-27)
The BSE disease may incubate for up to 5 years. Animal identification records must be kept for this long
to facilitate the tracing of disease outbreaks and the movement of sick animals.
Recordkeeping: Enforcement of a Ruminant-to-Ruminant Feed Ban
The request to keep records for enforcement of the feed ban is set at 8 years to correspond with the length
of the ban.
•

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
12

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 other 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,
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 this information collection:
Laurie I. Bryant
Meat Importers Council of America, Inc.
1901 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 110
Arlington, VA 22209
703-522-1910
Jamie Cayo
c/o Georgina Steves, CRV USA Holdings Inc.
2423 American Lane
Madison, WI 53704
[email protected]
608-441-3202
Gina Tumbarello
American Feed Industry Association
2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916
Arlington, VA 22011
703-558-3561
On Friday, April 28, 2017, APHIS published in the Federal Register on pages 19652 and 19653 a 60-day
notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection of information.
No comments from the public were received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of
contractors or grantees.
This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.

13

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 shippers, hunters, U.S.
importers of regulated animal products, herd owners (including hobby farms), salaried veterinarians of
foreign nations, foreign exporters of processed animal protein and other regulated materials and products,
accredited veterinarians, and slaughter facility managers.
•

Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of
information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

The annualized cost to the public is estimated to be $8,611,131.60. APHIS arrived at this figure by
multiplying the hours of estimated response time (275,821 hours) by the estimated average hourly wage
($31.22).
The estimated average hourly wage was derived using an average of the hourly wage of herd owners,
$33.60; importers, $32.11; veterinarians, $47.59; slaughter plant owners/ managers, $28.81; foreign
veterinarians, $32.04; foreign exporters, $18.00; educators and researchers, $24.58; and foreign
processors of restricted animal materials, $33.00. APHIS determined the estimated hourly wages using
information from the USDA’s International Services personnel in foreign regions, the U.S. Department of
Labor website https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm, foreign veterinarian information found at
www.healthassistancepartnership.org/veterinarian-salary/, and Salary.com.

14

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record-keepers 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.
See APHIS Form 79. The estimated annualized cost to the Federal Government is $9,717,521.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the
OMB Form 83-1.

Requested
Annual Number of
Responses
Annual Time
Burden (Hours)

Program
Change Due to Change Due to
Program
Change Due to Adjustment in
Potential
Change Due to
Agency
Agency
Violation of the
New Statute
Discretion
Estimate
PRA

Previously
Approved

529,391

0

321,260

175,480

0

32,651

275,821

0

225,118

37,827

0

12,876

In this renewal, the number of respondents increased from 784 to 2,225. The number of annual responses
increased from 32,651 to 529,391 (for a net change of +496,740 responses), and the total burden hours
increased from 12,876 to 275,821 (for a net change of +262,945 hours).
The merger of 0579-0234 into this information collection added the burdens Certificate for Inedible
Processed Ovine/Caprine Origin Materials and Products, Cooperative Service Agreement, Certification
Statement for Ovine/Caprine Origin Materials and Products, Health Certification and Seals, Notification
of Designation of Persons Authorized to Break Seals, Agreement with Slaughter Facilities Concerning the
Use of Seals on Conveyances Transporting Animals from Canada, Notification Regarding Conditions of
Sealed Shipments, Animals Imported for Immediate Slaughter, Certification Statement for Sheep and
Goats from Canada, Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots, Recordkeeping for
Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots, and Permit for Movement of Restricted Animal.
Three activities were changed, adjusting the type of respondent and burden estimates. The Blood and
Blood Products Certification burden now has foreign government and newly added business respondents,
as well as adjusted burden estimates. The respondent for Official Identifications was changed from
individual to foreign government and the burden estimates adjusted. The respondent for Recordkeeping
for Proof of Legally Harvested Meat or Dressed Carcasses was changed from business to individual and
burden estimates adjusted.
Three activities were were inadvertently omitted in the previous submission and were added as violations
of the Paperwork Reduction Act. They include recordkeeping requirements related to the Official
Identification burdens, and another related to Ruminants Imported to Designated/Approved Feedlots
15

burden. The third burden is new. Titled “Notice of Transfer - Animal Products”, it is applicable to
businesses and adds one response and one hour of burden.
All of these changes are summarized in the tables below. Under the respondent type (RESP) column,
FG = foreign government, B = business, I = individual. Under the Type of Change column, PROG change indicates program change due to agency discretion, PROG - new indicates a new burden, PROG merger indicates a new burden merged from 0579-0234, and PROG - adjust indicates a program
adjustment due to agency discretion. ADJUST - estimate indicates a change due to adjustment in the
Agency estimate.
CHANGES IN RESPONSES

REGS

REASON

95.12c
93.401 et al
93.401 et al
93.401 et al
93.401 et al
95.4
94.22
94.22
95.4
95.4
95.4
93.41
93.419
93.420
93.420
93.405 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
94.15

Blood / Blood Products
Official Identification
Official Identification
Record: Official Identif
Record: Official Identif
VS 16-3
Record: Legally Harvest
Record: Legally Harvest
Certificate for Inedible
Coop Service Agreement
Cert Statement for Ovine/
Health Certification / Seals
Notify Designated Persons
Agree w/ Slaughter Facili
Notify Regarding Sealed
VS 17-33
Cert Statement for Sheep
VS 17-130
Record: Ruminant Import
VS 1-27
Notice of Transfer

RESP
B
FG
I
B
FG
B
B
I
FG
B
FG
FG
B
B
B
B
FG
B
B
B
B

Sub-Total
95.12
93.418 et al
94.27 et al
93.418 et al
93.427
93.405 et al

Blood / Blood Products
VS 17-29
Written Notice for Transfer
Export Cert from Canada
Bovine Imports from Mexic
Bovine Export Health Cert

FG
B
B
B
B
FG

Sub-Total
Total Responses

PREVIOUS
NEW
RESPONSES RESPONSES DIFFERENCE
0
0
20
0
0
200
150
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

280
100
0
105
10
800
0
150
69,350
1
69,350
60,000
5,400
1
1
7,680
1
107,760
40
600
1

280
100
(20)
105
10
600
(150)
150
69,350
1
69,350
60,000
5,400
1
1
7,680
1
107,760
40
600
1

370

321,630

321,260

280
10,000
400
10,000
10,000
200

250
69,350
115,440
20,000
1,200
120

(30)
59,350
115,040
10,000
(8,800)
(80)

30,880

206,360

175,480

+ 31,250

+ 527,990

+ 496,740

TYPE OF CHANGE
PROG - change
PROG - change
PROG - change
PROG - new
PROG - new
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - change
PROG - change
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - new
PROG - merger
PROG - new

ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate

CHANGES IN HOURS

REGS

REASON

95.12c
93.401 et al

Blood / Blood Products
Official Identification

RESP
B
FG

PREVIOUS
BURDEN
0
0

NEW
BURDEN
140
200

16

DIFFERENCE
140
200

TYPE OF CHANGE
PROG - change
PROG - change

93.401 et al
93.401 et al
93.401 et al
95.4
94.22
94.22
95.4
95.4
95.4
93.41
93.419
93.420
93.420
93.405 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
93.419 et al
94.15

Official Identification
Record: Official Identif
Record: Official Identif
VS 16-3
Record: Legally Harvest
Record: Legally Harvest
Certificate for Inedible
Coop Service Agreement
Cert Statement for Ovine/
Health Certification / Seals
Notify Designated Persons
Agree w/ Slaughter Facili
Notify Regarding Sealed
VS 17-33
Cert Statement for Sheep
VS 17-130
Record: Ruminant Import
VS 1-27
Notice of Transfer

I
B
FG
B
B
I
FG
B
FG
FG
B
B
B
B
FG
B
B
B
B

Sub-Total
95.12
93.418 et al
94.27 et al
93.418 et al
93.427
93.405 et al

Blood / Blood Products
VS 17-29
Written Notice for Transfer
Export Cert from Canada
Bovine Imports from Mexic
Bovine Export Health Cert
Sub-Total
Total Burden Hours

FG
B
B
B
B
FG

40
0
0
600
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
53
5
800
0
24
69,350
1
69,350
60,000
1,350
1
1
3,840
1
20,474
20
150
1

(40)
53
5
200
(3)
24
69,350
1
69,350
60,000
1,350
1
1
3,840
1
20,474
20
150
1

643

225,761

225,118

140
3,300
200
3,330
3,330
800

125
22,886
18,470
6,600
396
480

(15)
19,556
18,270
3,270
(2,934)
(320)

11,100

48,957

37,827

+ 11,743

+ 274,718

+ 262,945

PROG - change
PROG - new
PROG - new
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - change
PROG - change
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - merger
PROG - merger, adjust
PROG - new
PROG - merger
PROG - new

ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate
ADJUST - estimate

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 collected 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.
The expiration date will appear on VS 17-33 and VS 17-130.
APHIS is seeking approval not to display the expiration date on VS Forms 1-27, 16-3, and 17-29. The
three forms are used in multiple OMB-approved information collections, each with different expiration
dates. It is impractical to assign a common date under these circumstances.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 "Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions of the Act.
17

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
There are no statistical methods associated with the information collection activities used in this program.

18