0207 2024 SS (20231004) OCIO comments 3-4-24

October 2023

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Bees and Related Articles

OMB Control No. 0579-0207

TERMS OF CLEARANCE: “Before this ICR is renewed, APHIS should convert PPQ Form 523 to a common form. If this is not done before the renewal, an explanation should be provided as to what challenge(s) APHIS has for the conversion.” This form is currently associated with multiple information collections, each with different OMB approval expiration dates. APHIS has many forms eligible for conversion to common forms. This has become a priority for the Agency, and it anticipates making material progress on the project.

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.

APHIS is seeking an extension, without change OMB approval to continue to use the following information collection activities for an additional 3 years.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests and noxious weeds not widely distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported pests when eradication is feasible.

The Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 U.S.C. 7701 - et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Further, under the Honeybee Act (7.U.S.C. 281-286), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen to prevent the introduction into the United States of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees and of undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees such as Apis mellifera scutellata, commonly known in the United States as the African honeybee. Regulations established under the Honeybee Act are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 7, Part 322 (referred to as the “honeybee regulations”). The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), is responsible for implementing the intent of these Acts, and does so through the enforcement of its pollinator regulations (covered under 7 CFR 330) and honeybee regulations (covered under 7 CFR 322).

Pollination is necessary for the production of many important crops, including forages, fruits, and vegetables. The pollinator regulations and honeybee regulations govern the importation into the United States of honeybees, honeybee semen, live bees other than honeybees, dead bees of the superfamily Apoidea, certain beekeeping byproducts, and beekeeping equipment. The establishment of certain bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees in the United States could cause substantial reductions in pollination by bees. Reductions in pollination by bees could indirectly cause serious damage to crops and other plants and, therefore, could lead to negative economic impact to American agriculture.

This regulation requires APHIS to collect information from a variety of individuals who are involved in breeding, exporting, importing, and containing bees and related articles. The information APHIS collects serves as the supporting documentation needed to issue required PPQ forms and documents that allow the importation of bees and related articles or authorize release of bees. This documentation is vital to helping APHIS ensure that exotic bee diseases and parasites, and undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees, do not spread into or within the

United States.

To prevent the spread of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees and bees other than honeybees, the introduction of genetically undesirable germplasm of honeybees and bees other than honeybees. APHIS is seeking OMB approval to continue to use the following information collection activities for an additional 3 years.

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 to prohibit or restrict the importation of honeybees, honeybee semen, and bees other than honeybees to prevent the introduction into the United States of diseases and parasites harmful to bees other than honeybees, and of undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees such as Apis mellifera scutellata, commonly known in the United States as the African honeybee.

Cost and Charges for Confiscated Articles; (7CFR §322.2 (c)(1), 322.3); (Business)

Any honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, bees other than honeybees, beekeeping byproducts, or used beekeeping equipment that is not in compliance and is identified by an Emergency Action Notice (PPQ 523) upon importation into the United States will be either (i) immediately exported from the United States by the shipper at their expense, or (ii) destroyed by APHIS at the shipper’s expense.

APHIS will furnish, without cost, the services of an inspector during normal business hours and at the inspector's places of duty. The importer is responsible for all costs and charges arising from inspection outside of normal business hours or away from the inspector's places of duty. The importer is also responsible for all costs and charges related to any exportation or destruction of shipments in accordance with §322.2(c)(1). Further, if the importer imports bees or germ plasm into a containment facility for research or processing, they will be responsible for all additional costs and charges associated with the importation.

Documentation for Transit Shipments - Export Certificate; (7 CFR 322.6, 322.23, 322.30); (Business; Foreign Government)

Each shipment of bees and honeybee germ plasm arriving in the United States from an approved region must be accompanied by an export certificate issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the national government of the exporting region.

Each shipment of restricted organisms transiting the United States will have to be accompanied by a document issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the national government of the exporting region. The document will have to state that the packaging requirements for transit shipments have been met. This requirement will help prevent the introduction of exotic bee diseases, parasites, and undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees into the United States. APHIS PPQ will only allow bees to transit the United States from countries from which we allow bees to be imported into the continental United States.

Notice of Arrival for Shipments from Approved Regions; (7 CFR 322.7(a)); (Business)

At least 10 days prior to the arrival in the United States of any shipment of bees or honeybee germplasm imported into the United States under CFR § 322.7, APHIS must be notified of the impending arrival. This notice may be faxed, emailed or mailed to APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine as long as it has the information required by the regulation; we do not require a special form, but the following information is required: (1) Name, address, and telephone number; (2) Name and address of the receiving apiary; (3) Name, address, and telephone number of the producer; (4) U.S. port where expected shipment will arrive (port must be staffed by an APHIS inspector (see §322.11)); (5) Date shipment is expected to arrive at that U.S. port; (6) Scientific name(s) of the organisms in the shipment; (7) Description of the shipment (i.e., package bees, queen bees, nest boxes, etc.); and (8) Total number of organisms expected to be received.

Labeling of Shipments from Approved Regions; (7 CFR 322.9(a),(b), 322.16(b), 322.32); (Business; Third Party Disclosure)

Packages of bees and related articles imported into the United States will be labeled with the contents of the shipment and the name of the exporting country. This requirement will be used by APHIS to protect the safety of its inspectors, and will help facilitate the importation of these products, by providing its inspectors with ready access to essential information about the shipment. It also helps identify the shipment for Customs and Border Protection. If anyone imports a package of honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, or bees other than honeybees under this subpart through the mail or through commercial express delivery, the package must be marked on all sides of the outside with the contents of the shipment, i.e., “Live Bees,” “Bee Germ Plasm,” or “Live Bee Brood,” and the name of the exporting region. The marking must be clearly visible using black letters at least 1 inch in height on a white background. If anyone imports a package of honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, or bees other than honeybees under this subpart through commercial express delivery, an accurate description of the complete contents of the shipment, i.e., “Live Bees,” “Bee Germ Plasm,” or “Live Bee Brood,” must be annotated on the shipment's delivery manifest entry.

Invoice Packing List; (7 CFR 322.9(c), 322.14); (Business)

In addition to the export certificate required in §322.6, a package of honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, or bees other than honeybees imported under this subpart by commercial express delivery must be accompanied at the time of arrival in the United States by an invoice or packing list accurately indicating the complete contents of the shipment.

Port of Entry Inspections; (7 CFR 322.10 (a), 322.19(a)); (Business)

Shipments of honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, and bees other than honeybees imported into the United States under this subpart will be inspected at the port of entry in the United States for proper documentation, timely notice of arrival, and adequate packaging. If, upon inspection, any shipment fails to meet the requirements of this part, that shipment will be refused entry into the United States. In accordance with §322.2(c), the inspector will offer the opportunity to immediately export any refused shipments. Declination to immediately export the shipment will result in the destruction of the shipment at the importer’s expense.

Request for Risk Assessment; (7 CFR 322.12 (a)); (Foreign Government)

A risk assessment will be performed by APHIS before a country can be approved to import bees other than honeybees, honeybees, or honeybee germplasm into the United States under its proposed subpart B. This requirement ensures that bees imported do not pose a risk of introducing exotic bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species or subspecies of honeybees into the United States. This requirement also makes its risk assessment review process more transparent to its trading partners. The national government of the region wishing to export must request that we perform a risk assessment for the importation into the United States of honeybees, honeybee germ plasm, or bees other than honeybees from that region.

Federal, State, and Researcher Verification; (7 CFR 322.13(b)); (State; Business)

Persons importing restricted organisms into the United States must be Federal, State, or university researchers; be at least 18 years of age; and be physically present during normal business hours at an address within the United States specified on the permit during any periods when articles are being imported or moved interstate under the permit. All such importations must be for research or experimental purposes and in accordance with this part. Persons must produce valid identification of credentials for the specified areas of employment.

Application for Permit to Move Live Plant Pests, Noxious Weeds, Soil, and Prohibited Plants (PPQ Form 526); (7 CFR 322.14); (State; Business)

Anyone wishing to import bees, including honeybees, honeybees, honeybee semen, or any restricted article (such as beekeeping equipment) from regions that would potentially harbor exotic bee diseases or parasites, must apply to APHIS for an import permit. This application must be submitted at least 30 days before the bees other than honeybees, honeybees, honeybee semen, or restricted article arrives at its port of entry in the United States. The permit application, PPQ Form 526, must include the importer’s name, address, and telephone number; the quantity and kinds of articles intended for export, the amount of semen to be imported; the species or subspecies of honeybee from which the semen was collected; the country or locality of origin; the intended port of entry in the United States; the means of transportation; and the expected date of arrival.

State Consultation and Approval of Permit Application; (7 CFR 322.15(a)(1)(i)); (State)

During the review of the permit application, consultation may occur with any Federal officials; appropriate officials of any State, Territory, or other jurisdiction in the United States in charge of research or regulatory programs relative to bees; and any other qualified governmental or private research laboratory, institution, or individual. These are conducted to gain information on the risks associated with the importation of the restricted organisms.

A copy of the permit application, and agency anticipated decision on the application, is sent to the appropriate regulatory official in the destination State for review and recommendation. A State's response, which we will consider before taking final action on the permit application, may take one of the following forms: (i) The State recommends that we issue the permit; (ii) The State recommends that we issue the permit with specified additional conditions; (iii) The State recommends that we deny the permit application and provides scientific, risk-based reasons supporting that recommendation; or (iv) The State makes no recommendation, thereby concurring with our decision regarding the issuance of the permit.

Written Agreement to Permit Conditions; (7 CFR 322.15(b)(1)); (Business)

After review of application, the agency will either issue a written permit with, if applicable, certain specific conditions listed for the importation of the restricted organisms that was applied to import. The applicant must initial each condition on the proposed permit and return the proposed permit conditions to the Permit Unit before APHIS will issue a signed valid permit; or notify applicant that application has been denied and provide reasons for the denial.

Appeal/Withdrawal of Denied/Revoked Permits; (7 CFR 322.15(e)); (Business)

APHIS will deny an application for a permit to import a restricted organism regulated under this subpart when, in its opinion, such movement would involve a danger of dissemination of an exotic bee disease or parasite, or an undesirable species or subspecies of honeybee.

If a permit application has been denied or a permit has been revoked, APHIS will inform the applicant in writing, including by electronic methods, as promptly as circumstances permit and will include the reasons for the denial or revocation. The decision may be appealed by writing to APHIS within 10 business days from the date notice is received. The appeal must state all facts and reasons upon which shows that the permit application was wrongfully denied, or the permit was wrongfully revoked. APHIS will grant or deny the appeal in writing and will state in writing the reason for the decision. The denial or revocation will remain in effect during the resolution of the appeal.

Special Mailing Label (APHIS Form 599); (7 CFR 322.17(a)); (Business)

Upon importing a restricted organism through the mail or through commercial express delivery, the importer must attach a special mailing label (APHIS Form 599) (which APHIS will provide with the permit) to the package or container. The mailing label indicates that APHIS has authorized the shipment.

Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523); (7 CFR 322.17, 18, 19, 26 & 34); (Business­)

An Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523) is generated by DHS and PPQ officers when an actionable violation is detected related to prohibited pests and agricultural products found in cargo, marketplaces and domestic sites.

Post-Entry Inspections of Facilities; (7 CFR 322.21(b)); (Business)

Immediately following clearance at the port of entry, a restricted organism must move by a bonded commercial carrier directly to a containment facility or apiary that has been inspected and approved by APHIS. Prior to issuing a permit to import restricted organisms, APHIS will inspect the apiary or containment facility where applicant intends to contain the restricted organisms. In order to approve the apiary or containment facility, an inspector must determine that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent the release of diseases or parasites of bees, or of undesirable species or strains of honeybees. Applicant must inform APHIS immediately, but no later than 24 hours after detection, if restricted organisms escape from the facility

Request for Release from Containment Facility; (7 CFR 322.21(d)(1)); (Business)

After rearing the restricted organisms in an approved containment facility or apiary through at least 4 months of active reproduction with no evidence of nonindigenous parasites or pathogens or of undesirable characteristics, a request may be submitted to APHIS for the release of the bees. The request must include: (i) inspection protocols; (ii) inspection frequencies; (iii) names and titles of inspectors; (iv) complete information, including laboratory reports, on detection of diseases and parasites in the population; (v) complete notes and observations on behavior, such as aggressiveness and swarming; and (vi) any other information or data relating to bee diseases, parasites, or adverse species or subspecies. The request must be mailed to the Permit Unit, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, or fax to (301) 734-8700. When the complete request for release from containment is received, APHIS will evaluate the request and determine whether the bees may be released. The evaluation may include an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The agency may conduct an additional inspection of the bees during its evaluation of the request. A written statement will be provided as soon as circumstances allow that approves or denies the request for release of the bees.

Recordkeeping for Containment Facilities; (7 CFR 322.21); (Business)

Containment facilities housing restricted articles will have to maintain records about the condition and behavior of the bees and the amount of time spent in containment. This information will help APHIS determine whether the bees can eventually be safely released from containment. Records are maintained for APHIS to review for a period of 3 years.

Packaging of Shipments; (7 CFR 322.24); (Business)

The outside of packaging must be clearly marked with the contents of the transit shipment, i.e., either “Live Bees,” “Bee Germplasm,” or “Live Bee Brood,” and the name of the exporting region.

Notice of Arrival for Transit Shipments; (7 CFR 322.25); (Business)

At least two business days prior to the expected date of arrival of restricted organisms at a port in the continental United States for in-transit movement, the shipper must contact the port to provide the name of each U.S. airport where the shipment will arrive; the name of the U.S. airport where the shipment will be transloaded (if applicable); the date of the shipment’s departure for each U.S. airport; the names, phone numbers, and addresses of both the shipper and the receiver; the number of units in the shipment; and the airline carrying the shipment. This information is accepted in any form as long as all information is included.

Interstate Movement Notice of Arrival; (7 CFR 322.31); (Business)

At least 10 business days prior to the arrival in the United States of any shipment of restricted articles, APHIS must be notified of the impending arrival.

Request for Facility Approval/Evaluation; (7 CFR 322.14(a)(19)); (Business)

If a facility wishes to contain bees or bee germ plasm, it must be approved by APHIS. If t has not been evaluated or approved by APHIS, the facility must request an evaluation inspection by contacting the agency.

Notification for Escaped Organisms; (7 CFR 322.21(c)(3)); (Business)

If an organism escapes from the facility, APHIS must be informed immediately but no later than 24 hours after detection.

Labeling of Restricted Articles; (7 CFR 322.32); (Business; Third Party Disclosure)

If a restricted article is imported through the mail or through commercial express delivery, all sides of the outside of the package must be marked with the contents of the shipment and the name of the exporting region. The marking must be clearly visible using black letters at least 1 inch in height on a white background. In addition, if a restricted article is imported through commercial express delivery, an accurate description must be provided of the complete contents of the shipment for the shipment's delivery manifest entry.

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.

APHIS makes every effort to comply with the E-Government Act, 2002 (E-Gov) and to provide for alternative submission of information collections.

PPQ Form 526, Application for Permit to Move Live Plant Pests, Noxious Weeds, Soil, and Prohibited Plants, is located in the APHIS library at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/
resources/forms/ct_ppq_forms and also at https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/epermits/.

PPQ Form 523, Emergency Action Notification, is generated by DHS and/or PPQ officers when an actionable violation is detected related to prohibited pests and agricultural products found in cargo, market places, or domestic sites. Information is entered into the Agricultural Quarantine Activity System database to produce a hard copy of the PPQ Form 523. Only CBP and/or PPQ Government officials with proper authorizations can access this database. The form is then provided to the property owners for signature of acknowledgment of an action against them.

PPQ Form 599, red and white shipping labels, can be requested by permit holders who are given instructions via their permit on how to request shipping labels. Instructions read: “Upon issuance of this Permit (i.e., a signed PPQ 526), you will need to request the PPQ Form 599 red/white labels at least 5 days in advance. If you applied online using ePermits, you may request the labels using the My Shipments/Labels feature. Otherwise, send your request to redandwhitelabelrequest@usda.gov.” In the ePermits system, permit holders are given the choice between plain paper labels or special gum labels. Selecting plain paper labels allows APHIS to email the labels (inside or outside ePermits) or print them on regular paper and mail/fax them to the recipient. As most applications contain email addresses, emailing them directly through ePermits saves a considerable amount of time and money. Selecting special gum labels allows APHIS to print the labels on special gum label paper and mail them to the applicant.

Notice of arrivals, letters of withdrawal, and other documents can be generated by word processing means and submitted electronically, by fax, or regular postal services. APHIS anticipates 40 percent of responses will be submitted electronically.

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 is exclusive to its mission of preventing the introduction of exotic bee diseases, parasites, and undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees. This information is not 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.

APHIS estimates that 15 percent of the business respondents are considered small entities.

The information APHIS collects is the minimum needed to protect the U.S. beekeepers and bee populations nationwide from the potential introduction of exotic bee diseases, parasites, and undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees into the United States.

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.

This is an ongoing, mandatory information collection request. If APHIS did not collect this information or if it was collected it less frequently, APHIS could not verify that imported bees and related articles do not present a significant risk of introducing exotic bee disease, parasites, and undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees. The establishment of certain bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees in the United States could cause substantial reduction of pollination by bees. Reduction in pollination by bees could indirectly cause serious damage to crops and other plants and, therefore, could lead to negative economic impact to American agriculture.

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;

APHIS must be notified at least 10 days prior of the impending arrival in the United States of any shipment of bees or honeybee germplasm imported under CFR § 322.7.

Anyone wishing to import honeybees, honeybee semen, or any restricted article (such as beekeeping equipment) that would potentially harbor exotic bee diseases or parasites, must apply to APHIS for an import permit. This application must be submitted at least 30 days before the honeybees, honeybee semen, or restricted article arrive at ports of entry in the United States.

At least 2 business days prior to the expected date of arrival of restricted organisms at a port in the continental United States for in-transit movement, the shipper must contact the port to provide the name of each U.S. airport where the shipment will arrive; the name of the U.S. airport where the shipment will be trans-loaded (if applicable); the date of the shipment’s departure for each U.S. airport; the names, phone numbers, and addresses of both the shipper and the receiver; the number of units in the shipment; and the airline carrying the shipment.

APHIS must be notified at least 10 days prior of the impending arrival in the United States of any shipment of restricted articles.

APHIS may withdraw any permit that it issues. Any person whose permit is withdrawn may appeal the decision by writing to the Deputy Administrator of PPQ within 10 days after receiving written notification of the withdrawal. The letter must state all of the facts and reasons upon which the person relies to show that the permit was wrongfully withdrawn.

• 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;

• 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 held productive consultations concerning the activities associated with the Bees and Related Articles information collection with the following individuals by email and telephone. The discussions were around the necessity and frequency of collection or labeling, the convenience and clarity of reporting formats and other collection instruments, and the recordkeeping requirements. The respondents stated the data collection was thorough and that they had no concerns or further recommendations.

Jamie Strange, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Entomology

Department of Entomology

Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio

Phone: (614) 292-8209

Email: strange.54@osu.edu; https://u.osu.edu/strange.54/

Karen Rennich, Ph.D., Project Manager

Bee Lab

Department of Entomology

University of Maryland

College Park, MD

Email: krennich@umd.edu

Rachel Fahey, Project Coordinator

Bee Lab

Department of Entomology

University of Maryland

College Park, MD

Email: faheybrl@umd.edu

On Friday, August 4, 2023, APHIS published in the Federal Register (88 FR 51768), a 60‑day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection of information. APHIS received one comment from the public that stated they support this information 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.

APHIS adheres to the Departmental policy in handling Confidential Business Information claims. The confidentiality of information is protected under 5 U.S.S. 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 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 for burden estimates.

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

APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to respondents to be $3,607. This was computed by multiplying the estimated average hourly wage ($38.90) by the total number of burden hours (64) needed to complete the work, and then multiplying the result by 1.449 to capture benefit costs.

The average hourly rates use to calculate the estimates include the following:

SOCC Code	Average Salary	Occupation Description
n/a	$37.50	Non-U.S. respondents provided by USDA’s Agricultural Specialist and Animal Health Specialist in Canada and New Zealand.
11-9013	$40.29	Agricultural Managers
	$38.90	Average Hourly Salary

The rates were found at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website https://www.bls.gov/

oes/current/oes_stru.htm. APHIS has changed its calculation method and the benefit costs are not included in the average hourly wage reported.

According to DOL BLS news release USDL-23-0488 dated March 17, 2023 (see https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf), benefits account for 31 percent of employee costs, and wages account for the remaining 69 percent. Mathematically, total costs can be calculated as a function of wages, resulting in a multiplier of 1.449.

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.

Any honeybees, honeybee germplasm, bees other than honeybees, beekeeping byproducts, or used beekeeping equipment not in compliance upon importation into the United States will be either immediately exported from the United States at the shipper’s expense, or will be destroyed by APHIS at the shipper’s expense. The cost of destruction or reexport varies considerably depending on the situation.

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 79. APHIS estimates the cost to the Federal Government to be $5,576.

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

	Requested	Program Change Due to New Statute	Program Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Agency Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA	Previously Approved
Annual Number of Responses	250	0	0	40	0	210
Annual Time Burden (Hr)	64	0	0	10	0	54

APHIS is seeking an extension, without change.

This request for renewal is for 250 estimated annual responses and 64 estimated annual burden hours. The renewal estimates reflecting an increase of 40 responses and 10 burden hours from the previous renewal is a more accurate estimate of the importation of the Alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata). There has been a decrease in the requests for transit and import permitting activities. However, a more accurate estimation of importation activities has resulted in an overall increase in the burden. A breakdown of the adjustments for the responses and burden hours are detailed in the following two tables.

CHANGE IN ESTIMATED RESPONSES

Respondents: B = Business; FG = Foreign Government; S = State

9 CFR	Activity	Respond.	Prev. Responses	New Responses	Diff.	Type of Change
7 CFR 322.2 (c)(1); 322.3	Cost/Charges Bill for Confiscated Articles	B	1	3	2	Estimate
322.6,.23,.30	Doc. for Transit Shipments - Export Certificate	B	15	1	-14	Estimate
322.6,.23,.30	Doc. for Transit Shipments - Export Certificate	FG	14	1	-13	Estimate
322.7(a)	Notice of Arrival for Shipments from Approved Regions	B	15	50	35	Estimate
322.9	Labeling of Shipments from Approved Regions (3rd pty)	B	15	50	35	Estimate
322.9, 14	Invoice Packing List	B	15	50	35	Estimate
322.10, .19	Port of Entry Inspections	B	15	50	35	Estimate
322.12	Request for Risk Assessment	FG	1	1	0
322.13(b)	Federal, State, and Researcher Verification	S	4	4	0
322.13(b)	Federal, State, and Researcher Verification	B	6	6	0
322.14	Application for Permit to Import a Restricted Organism	S	6	1	-5	Estimate
322.14	Application for Permit to Import a Restricted Organism	B	4	4	0
322.15	State Consultation/Approval of Permit Application	S	12	1	-11	Estimate
322.15(b)(1)	Written Agreement to Permit Conditions	B	15	1	-14	Estimate
322.15(e)	Appeal/Withdrawal of Denied/Revoked Permit	B	1	1	0
322.17(a)	Special Mailing Label	B	20	1	-19	Estimate
322.17, .18, .19, .34	Emergency. Action Notification	B	1	1	0
322.21(b)	Post-Entry Inspections of Facilities	B	1	1	0
322.21(d)(1)	Request of Release from Containment Facility	B	20	1	-19	Estimate
322.21	Recordkeeping for Containment Facilities	B	2	2	0
322.24	Packaging of Shipments	B	15	15	0
322.25	Notice of Arrival for Transit Shipments	B	4	1	-3	Estimate
322.31	Interstate Movement Notice of Arrival for Restricted Articles	B	4	1	-3	Estimate
322.14(a)(19)	Request for Facility Approval	B	1	2	1	Estimate
322.21(c)(3)	Notification of Escaped Organism	B	1	0	-1	Estimate
322.32	Labeling of Restricted Articles (3rd Party)	B	2	1	-1	Estimate
	TOTALS		210	250	40

CHANGE IN ESTIMATED BURDEN HOURS

Respondents: B = Business; FG = Foreign Government; S = State

9 CFR	Activity	Respond.	Prev. Responses	New Responses	Diff.	Type of Change
7 CFR 322.2 (c)(1); 322.3	Cost/Charges Bill for Confiscated Articles	B	1	2	1	Estimate
322.6,.23,.30	Doc. for Transit Shipments - Export Certificate	B	4	1	-3	Estimate
322.6,.23,.30	Doc. for Transit Shipments - Export Certificate	FG	4	1	-3	Estimate
322.7(a)	Notice of Arrival for Shipments from Approved Regions	B	3	8	5	Estimate
322.9	Labeling of Shipments from Approved Regions (3rd pty)	B	2	5	3	Estimate
322.9, 14	Invoice Packing List	B	3	8	5	Estimate
322.10, .19	Port of Entry Inspections	B	4	13	9	Estimate
322.12	Request for Risk Assessment	FG	8	8	0
322.13(b)	Federal, State, and Researcher Verification	S	1	1	0
322.13(b)	Federal, State, and Researcher Verification	B	1	1	0
322.14	Application for Permit to Import a Restricted Organism	S	2	1	-1	Estimate
322.14	Application for Permit to Import a Restricted Organism	B	1	1	0
322.15	State Consultation/Approval of Permit Application	S	2	1	-1	Estimate
322.15(b)(1)	Written Agreement to Permit Conditions	B	3	1	-2	Estimate
322.15(e)	Appeal/Withdrawal of Denied/Revoked Permit	B	1	1	0
322.17(a)	Special Mailing Label	B	1	1	0	Estimate
322.17, .18, .19, .34	Emergency Action Notification	B	1	1	0
322.21(b)	Post-Entry Inspections of Facilities	B	1	1	0
322.21(d)(1)	Request of Release from Containment Facility	B	3	1	-2	Estimate
322.21	Recordkeeping for Containment Facilities	B	2	2	0
322.24	Packaging of Shipments	B	1	1	0
322.25	Notice of Arrival for Transit Shipments	B	1	1	0	Estimate
322.31	Interstate Movement Notice of Arrival for Restricted Articles	B	1	1	0	Estimate
322.14(a)(19)	Request for Facility Approval	B	1	1	0	Estimate
322.21(c)(3)	Notification of Escaped Organism	B	1	0	-1	Estimate
322.32	Labeling of Restricted Articles (3rd Party)	B	1	1	0	Estimate
	TOTALS		54	64	10

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 this data.

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 PPQ Form 523 and PPQ Form 526 are used in multiple information collections; therefore, it would not be practical to add an expiration date to the forms at this time. Once the APHIS consolidated common form information collection request is approved, these forms will be converted to common forms and the ICR approval expiration date will be shown.

PPQ Form 599 red and white shipping labels are a small label and will only contain the OM1B number as there is no other room to show the PRA disclosure statement or information colle1ction approval expiration date.

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

This collection of information does not use statistical methods.