0579-0421 2017 Ss

December 2017
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
IMPORTATION OF FRESH BLUEBERRY FRUIT FROM MOROCCO
INTO THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES
OMB NO. 0579-0421
A. JUSTIFICATION
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify
any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to
restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles
within the United States to prevent the introduction of plant pests or their dissemination. The
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)
Program enforces the Act by regulating the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United
States. These regulations are found in Section 319 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
under ‘‘Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–1 through 319.56–81).
Under §319.56–69, fresh fruit of highbrush blueberries (Vaccinium coymbosum L. and hybrid
varieties V. corymbosum x angustifolium (V. x atlanticum and V. corymbosum x virgatum)) from
Morocco may be imported into the continental United States under certain conditions that
prevent the introduction of plant pests Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) and fungus
Monilinia fructigena (Honey ex Whetzel) into the country. Information collection activities are
used to ensure these conditions are met.
APHIS is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve, for an additional
3 years, the use of these information collection activities to prevent the introduction of dangerous
plant pests into the United States.

2. Indicate how, by whom, 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.
Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products (PPQ Form 587);
(7 CFR 319.56-3); (Business)
Importers may be required to obtain permits from APHIS before shipping to the United States
blueberry fruit from Morocco that may not be in full compliance with 7 CFR 319.56-69. Permits
allow APHIS to inform applicants of importation requirements imposed on the fruit at its country
of origin and any special conditions the consignments must meet when arriving at United States
ports.
Appeal of Denial or Revocation of Permit; (7 CFR 319.7-5); (Business)
Denial or revocation of an import permit may be appealed in writing by the importer within 10
days of notification by APHIS.

Production Site Registration; (7 CFR 319.56-69(b)); (Business) (Foreign Government)
Blueberries must be grown at places of production that are registered with the Morroco NPPO.
Registration allows for inspection of fruit crops and provides traceability of fruit origin.
Inspections; (7 CFR 319.56-69(c)); (Business) (Foreign Government)
Blueberry crops must be field inspected for signs of M. fructigena infestation 30 days prior to
harvest. If the fungal disease is detected, the Morocco NPPO must notify APHIS who will
prohibit the importation of blueberries from the place of production for the remainder of the
growing season. Exportation may not resume until remedial actions have been taken.
Remedial Action for Production Site; (7 CFR 319.56-69(c)); (Business) (Foreign
Government)
Blueberries may not be exported to the United States from a rejected place of production until
APHIS and the Morocco NPPO agree that appropriate remedial actions have been taken.
Phytosanitary Certificate with Additional Declaration; (7 CFR 319.56-69(e)); (Business)
(Foreign Government)
Each consignment of blueberries must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by
the Morocco NPPO. Each certificate must include a declaration stating the conditions of
7 CFR 319.56-69 have been met and that the consignment has been inspected prior to export
from Morocco and found free of M. fructigena.
Notice of Arrival (PPQ Form 368); (7 CFR 319.56-3d(1)); (Business)
Importers of regulated articles must complete PPQ Form 368 (or equivalent Federal form
depending upon port procedures) at or before the shipment’s arrival into the United States. The
form provides information needed by Federal inspectors or officers to identify and track
shipments en route to the United States, and to schedule inspections and treatments at the
appropriate ports of entry. Timely submission mitigates delays in the port clearance process.
Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523); (7 CFR 319.56-3d(2)); (Business)
PPQ Form 523 is prepared by a Federal official and issued to a broker, shipper, market owner, or
other stakeholder responsible for a certain consignment failing specific import requirements and
requiring remedial action. The form describes the reasons for refusal of entry into the United
States and basic explanations of required remedial actions. Receipt and consignment disposition
are annotated by the stakeholder before further port clearance procedures may resume.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, 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 considerations of using information technology
to reduce burden.
The Notice of Arrival (PPQ Form 368) and Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant
Products (PPQ Form 587) may be completed online by e-Permits account holders at website
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/permits/sa_plants/ct_ppq_epermits. Fillable versions
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of the forms also may be obtained from the APHIS forms website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
aphis/resources/forms/ct_ppq_forms and then faxed or emailed to APHIS. Users also may obtain
more information about the forms by visiting the PPQ permit information webpage at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/plants-andplant-products-permits/ct_plantproducts.
There is no prescribed format for preparing and submitting an appeal of denial or revocation of
import permit.
The formats for all documentation created by businesses or the Morocco NPPO, including
correspondence with APHIS, is at the discretion of the Moroccan government but may follow
APHIS or international guidelines for format and content. APHIS has no influence over other
nations with regard to automating their phytosanitary certificates but it does enter the documents
into the electronic APHIS Agricultural Quarantine Activity System (AQAS) upon receipt at the
United States port of entry.
The Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523) is initiated by Federal officials.
APHIS works closely with CBP and is involved with 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. ITDS will allow respondents to
submit data required by U.S. CBP and its Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) to import and
export cargo through a Single Window concept. APHIS is also developing a system known as
e-File for CARPOL (Certification, Accreditation, Registration, Permitting, and Other Licensing)
activities. It is still under development and will strive to efficiently automate some of these
information collection activities.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use of the purpose described in item 2
above.
The mission to prevent the importation and spread of plant pests in the United States is exclusive
to USDA APHIS and the information APHIS collects performing it is neither duplicated nor
available from any other source.

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 minimum needed to protect the United States from
destructive plant pests while ensuring increased variety of fruits and vegetables imported from
other countries. APHIS estimates 11 percent of the business respondents are small entities.

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6. Describe the consequences 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.
Inability to collect this information would severely limit APHIS’ ability to ensure blueberry fruit
shipments from Morocco are not carrying plant pests. Consequently, the introduction of
quarantine pests Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) and Monolinia fructigena (Honey ex
Whetzel fungus) into the United States could result in catastrophic losses to American fruit crops
and losses of millions of dollars for the United States agriculture and food industries.

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;
Revocation of an import permit may be appealed in writing within 10 days of notification by
APHIS.
Blueberries must be field inspected for signs of M. fructigena infestation 30 days prior to
harvest. If the fungal disease is detected, the Morocco NPPO must notify APHIS who will
prohibit the importation of blueberries from the place of production for the remainder of the
growing season. Exportation may not resume until remedial actions have been taken. Because
fruit crops are perishable and businesses strive to get them from farm to market in as little
time as possible, the notification and decision process is time sensitive.
An Emergency Action Notice (PPQ Form 523) may be issued by a Federal official and issued
to a broker, shipper, market owner, or other stakeholder responsible for a certain consignment
failing specific import requirements and requiring remedial action. The form describes the
reasons for refusal of entry into the United States and basic explanations of required remedial
actions. The notice is signed by the stakeholder on the day it is issued.
• 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;

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• 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 other special circumstances exist that would require this 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 recently consulted with the following individuals regarding this program:
Joe Degrandchamp
North American Blueberry Council
80 Iron Point Circle, Suite 114
Folsom, CA 95630
916-983-2279
Chris Barnhall
Chairman, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
49 East 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
212-420-8808
Manuel Michel
Executive Director, National Mango Board
3101 Maguire Blvd, Suite 111
Orlando, FL 32803
407-629-7318
On Friday, October 13, 2017, APHIS published in the Federal Register on pages 47688 and
47689 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.

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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. Any and
all information obtained in this collection shall not be disclosed except in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552a.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and others that are 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 asks no questions of personal or sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of 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.
• 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 respondents is determined by multiplying the total burden hours (82)
by the estimated hourly wage ($28 per hour). APHIS estimates the annualized cost to
respondents to be $2,296.
Respondents are growers, importers, and Moroccan government officials. The average hourly
wage was developed through discussions with the PPQ Regulatory Coordination Specialist
and the Morocco NPPO.

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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 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.
There is no annual cost burden associated with the capital and start-up cost, maintenance costs,
and purchase of services in connection with this program.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost 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 79. The estimated cost for the Federal Government is $559.

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

130

0

81

29

0

20

82

0

46

25

0

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In this renewal, the number of respondents increased from 8 to 15, adding importers. The number
of annual responses changed from 20 to 130 for a net increase of +90 responses, and the total
burden hours changed from 11 to 82 for a net increase of +71 hours.
One activity, Production Site Registration (Business) is unchanged.
Two activities have increases due to estimate adjustments attributed to increased blueberry fruit
exports to the United States. They are Inspections and Phytosanitary Certificates, both by the
Morocco NPPO (foreign government). Inspections increased by 20 responses and 20 hours of
burden, and Phytosanitary Certificates increased by 9 responses and 5 hours of burden.
Three activities have discretionary program adjustments attributed to additional respondent types
being added to the activities. They include Production Site Registration (Foreign Government)
with 7 responses and 4 hours of burden, Inspections (Business) with 21 responses and 21 hours
of burden, and Phytosanitary Certificates (Business) with 21 responses and 11 hours of burden.
Five activities are new, being inadvertently omitted in the previous submission and now added as
potential violations of the Paperwork Reduction Act. They include Application for Permit (PPQ
Form 587) with 7 responses and 4 hours of burden; Appeal of Denial or Revocation of Permit
(Business) with 1 response and 1 hour of burden; Remedial Action for Production Site, both
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Business and Foreign Government, with a total of 2 responses and 2 hours of burden; Notice of
Arrivals (PPQ Form 368) (Business) with 21 responses and 2 hours of burden, and Emergency
Action Notification (PPQ Form 523) (Business) with 1 response and 1 hour of burden.
All of these changes are summarized in the two tables below. Under the respondent type column,
B = business, I = individual, FG = foreign government, NFP = not for profit, and Farm = farm.
Under the Type of Change column, “Adjust” indicates an adjustment to the Agency estimate,
“Program” indicates a program change due to agency discretion, and “New” indicates a new
activity or burden.
CHANGES IN RESPONSES

REGS
319.56-3
319.7-5
319.56-69(b)
319.56-69(b)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(e)
319.56-69(e)
319.56-3d(1)
319.56-3d(2)

REASON
RESP
Import Permit
B
Appeal of Denial of Permit B
Production Site Registration B
Production Site Registration FG
Inspections
FG
Inspections
B
Remedial Action
FG
Remedial Action
B
Phytosanitary Certificate
FG
Phytosanitary Certificate
B
Notice of Arrivals
B
Emergency Action Notif
B

PREVIOUS
NEW
RESPONSES RESPONSES DIFFERENCE
0
7
7
0
1
1
7
7
0
0
7
7
1
21
20
0
21
21
0
1
1
0
1
1
12
21
9
0
21
21
0
21
21
0
1
1
+ 20
+130
+117

TYPE OF CHANGE
New
New
No Change
Program - respondent
Adjust
Program - respondent
New
New
Adjust
Program - respondent
New
New

CHANGES IN BURDEN HOURS

REGS
319.56-3
319.7-5
319.56-69(b)
319.56-69(b)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(c)
319.56-69(e)
319.56-69(e)
319.56-3d(1)
319.56-3d(2)

REASON
RESP
Import Permit
B
Appeal of Denial of Permit B
Production Site Registration B
Production Site Registration FG
Inspections
FG
Inspections
B
Remedial Action
FG
Remedial Action
B
Phytosanitary Certificate
FG
Phytosanitary Certificate
B
Notice of Arrivals
B
Emergency Action Notif
B

PREVIOUS
BURDEN
0
0
4
0
1
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
+ 11

NEW
BURDEN
4
1
4
4
21
21
1
1
11
11
2
1
+82

DIFFERENCE
4
1
0
4
20
21
1
1
5
11
2
1
+71

TYPE OF CHANGE
New
New
No Change
Program - respondent
Adjust
Program - respondent
New
New
Adjust
Program - respondent
New
New

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans
for tabulation and publication.
APHIS has no plans to tabulate or publish the information it collects.
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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.
PPQ Form 368, PPQ Form 523, and PPQ Form 587 are used for multiple information collections
which have different expiration dates. APHIS requests that an expiration date not be annotated
on these forms.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the “Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act.”
APHIS is able to certify compliance with all the provisions under the act.

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

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