The revision to
the originally submitted information collection is approved through
June, 1996. Because the agency is currently in the process of
formalizing risk assessment guidelines that use the information
collected, the agency must furnish OMB with a detailed description
of the practical utility of the information collection as it
relates to the risk assessment outlined by the agency's guidelines
in order to extend the information collection beyond the expiration
date. The description should encompass both general information and
specific questions delineated in the "Clarification of Information
Requested for Recognition of a Region."
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/1999
06/30/1999
09/30/1998
1,655,908
0
1,655,788
64,213
0
62,404
0
0
0
Under our current regulations,
restrictions on the importation of animals are based on whether a
particular disease exists in any part of the foreign country. We
are now revising regulations to establish importation criteria for
animals based on the level of disease risk in specified geographic
regions, not countries. This information collection will enable
APHIS to accurately monitor the health status of regions and the
movement of animals from those regions into the U.S.
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.