This ICR covers activities related to
verifying compliance with restrictions related to importing dogs
from an African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected country.
As of December 1, 2020,
the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service identified an
inventory of 77.5 million hogs and pigs in the United States. APHIS
Wildlife Services estimates feral swine are in at least 35 States
with a rapidly expanding population of over 6 million. According to
the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System, the U.S. swine
industry is worth more than $22.5 billion, which without proper
preparation could be put at risk if ASF was introduced into the
United States. An ASF outbreak of any size or type, particularly a
multistate outbreak, would likely have a sizeable and lingering
economic impact for an extended period. An outbreak would
immediately disrupt international exports of meat, meat products,
and swine byproducts.
This request for emergency ICR
affects 200 respondents submitting approximately 1,800 responses
per year for an estimated 900 hours of burden. African Swine Fever
(ASF) is a deadly disease that may potentially be transmitted via
imported dogs. This ICR covers activities related to verifying
compliance with restrictions related to importing dogs from an
African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected country.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.