0214 Ss 20200130

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
IMPORTATION OF PORK-FILLED PASTA
OMB NO. 0579-0214
July 2019
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 1040118 of P.L. 107-171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
The Veterinary Services (VS) division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), protects the health of the United States livestock and
poultry populations by preventing the spread of contagious, infectious, or communicable animal
diseases (such as swine vesicular disease (SVD)) and by eradicating such diseases from the United
States when feasible. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy
animal population and for enhancing the United States’ ability to compete in the world market of
animal and animal product trade.
SVD is a highly contagious disease that resists both environmental factors and common
disinfectants. SVD rarely results in mortality in infected swine and does not cause severe production
losses. However, the disease can have a major economic impact as eradication is costly and SVDfree regions often prohibit imports of swine, pork, and pork products from affected regions.
APHIS regulations in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 94, prohibit or restrict the
importation of specified animals and animal products into the United States to prevent the introduction
into the United States livestock population of certain contagious animal diseases, including SVD.
Section 94.12(c) contains specific requirements for the processing, recordkeeping, and certification
procedures for pork-filled pasta products exported to the United States from SVD-affected regions.
These regulations are designed to ensure that these products are properly processed, and that no
commingling occurs with products that are ineligible to enter the United States.
APHIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve, for an additional
3 years, its use of these information collection activities associated with its efforts regarding SVD.

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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 activities associated with its efforts to prevent an SVD
incursion into the United States:
Export Certificate (Foreign Government) - 9 CFR 94.12(c)(10)
Pork-filled pasta arriving into the United States from regions affected with SVD must be
accompanied by an export certificate. An official of the national government of the pasta-producing
region completes and signs the certificate. The certificate states that the product has been handled
and processed according to the requirements of 9 CFR 94.12(c). The official records the origin of
the meat used in the product, the name and location of the facility that processed the product, and
the product’s intended destination.
Collection of Information regarding Pork Used in Pasta and Recordkeeping (Business)
9 CFR 94.12(c)(9)
Pork-filled pasta destined for the United States from a region affected with SVD must be processed
in an establishment in which an individual, authorized by the veterinary service of the region’s
national government, maintains original records (to be kept for a minimum of 2 years) identifying
the pork by the date it entered the facility (as well as the number of packages (and the number of
hams or cooked pork products per package) and the weight of each package), the lot number, the
export health certificate that accompanied the pork from the slaughter/processing facility to the
meat-filled pasta processing facility; and the date the pork began either dry-curing or cooking.
These records will provide important information in any traceback investigation that may need to be
conducted by officials of the region of origin, or by APHIS officials.
Cooperative Service Agreement (Business) - 9 CFR 94.12(c)(2)
Before receiving pork intended to be used in pork-filled pasta products destined for the United
States, the operator of the foreign processing establishment must first enter into a cooperative
service agreement with APHIS. Under this agreement, the establishment agrees to: (1) process its
pork in accordance with 9 CFR 94.12(c) or 9 CFR 94.17 (which covers dry-cured pork products);
(2) allow the unannounced entry into the establishment of APHIS representatives for the purpose of
inspecting the facilities, operations, and records of the establishment; and (3) pay for the costs
associated with these inspections.
Storage Requirements (Business) - 9 CFR 94.12(c)(3)
Any storage room area reserved for pork or pork products eligible for export to the United States
must be either kept in a separate storage room or facility or in a separate area of the same storage
room. If in the same storage room, the pork or pork products eligible for export must be separated
by at least 1 meter from any storage room area where meat or meat products ineligible for export to
the United States are stored and must be marked by signs and by having its borders outlined on the
floor.

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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.
The export certificate used in this importation program is completed and signed in the country of
origin. It is not a VS form, but a document issued by a foreign government. This export certificate
requires an original signature from the issuing official and must physically accompany the shipment
to the United States; therefore, it is not a candidate for electronic submission. Also, the cooperative
service agreement requires an original signature and, therefore, cannot be submitted electronically.
However, APHIS 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. This will allow respondents to submit the data required by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection and its Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), such as APHIS, to
import and export cargo through a Single Window concept. APHIS is also establishing a system
known as e-File for CARPOL (Certification, Accreditation, Registration, Permitting, and Other
Licensing) activities. This new system will strive to automate some of these information collection
activities. The system is still being developed and business processes continue to be identified and
mapped.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2
above.
The information APHIS collects in connection with this program is not available from any other
source. APHIS is the only Agency responsible for preventing the introduction of foreign animal
diseases into the United States.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe
any methods used to minimize burden.
The information APHIS collects in connection with this program is the absolute minimum needed
to ensure that pork-filled pasta from certain regions will pose a negligible risk of introducing SVD
into the United States. No small businesses or other small entities will be affected by this
information collection. There are no small businesses.
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.

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If the information was collected less frequently or not collected at all, it would significantly hinder
APHIS’ ability to ensure that pork-filled pasta from certain regions poses a minimal risk of
introducing SVD into the United States. This would make a disease incursion event much more
likely, with potentially devastating effects on the U.S. pork 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.
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requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

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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.

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This information collection was conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines established in
5 CFR 1320.5.
8. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the
availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping,
disclosure, or reporting form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the
Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the information collection
prior to submission to OMB.
APHIS contacted these respondents by email and phone to discuss the information APHIS collects
to administer its pork-filled pasta import requirements. We discussed with them how we and they
obtain the necessary data and how frequently; how much data is available; the convenience and
clarity of reporting formats and other collection instruments; and the clarity of, and necessity for,
any recordkeeping requirements. The respondents stated via email or phone that they had no
concerns with any of these items and had no further recommendations.
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John-Pierre Comte
President, Region Americas
Barilla Group
885 Sunset Ridge Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: 1-800-922-7455
John Csukker, president-elect
Nebraska Pork Producers Association
4435 O St, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68510
Phone: 1-888-627-7675
Email: [email protected]
Dale Weitekamp, president-elect
Illinois Pork Producers
6411 S. 6th Street Rd.
Springfield, IL 62712
Phone: 217-529-3100
Fax: 217-529-1771
Email: [email protected]
On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, pages 40383 - 40384, Volume 84, No. 157, APHIS published in
the Federal Register, a 60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year
renewal of this collection of information. During this time two comments from the public were
received.
One comment was received from a concerned citizen about her prospection of the monetary burden
on the American taxpayers. The Second comment was from a concerned citizen, who wants to bring
awareness to website pertaining to the welfare of Animals. Neither comment had 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. Any and all
information obtained in this collection shall not be disclosed except in accordance with
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 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.
•Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of
information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
Respondents are officials of the national government of the region in which the pork-filled pasta is
processed and operators of pasta facilities. APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to these
respondents to be $356.66. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the total hours of burden
(5 hours) by the estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($48.50), and then
multiplying the result ($242.53) by 1.4706 to capture benefit costs.
5 X $48.50 X 1.4706 = $356.66
National Government Officials – $42.50 [Discussions with APHIS international contacts]
Operators of Pasta Facility – $54.51 [http://www.bls.gov/oes//current/oes113051.htm, Industrial
Production Managers]. According to DOL BLS news release USDL-18-1499, dated September 18,
2018 (see https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf), benefits account for 32 percent of
employee costs, and wages account for the remaining 68 percent. Mathematically, total costs can be
calculated as a function of wages using a multiplier of 1.4706.”
Benefits = wages X 47.06% (42.50 X 0.4706 = $22.82)

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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
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.
There is zero annual cost burden associated with capital and start-up 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 $174.19. (See APHIS Form 79.)
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14
of the OMB Form 83-1.
There is no change from the previous renewal.
16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for
tabulation and publication.
APHIS has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
No USDA forms are used in this collection.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the "Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions of the Act.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Statistical methods are not employed in this information collection activity.
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