SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Importation of Fresh Citrus Fruit From Uruguay, Including Citrus Hybrids and Fortunella spp., Into the Continental United States.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0401.

Type of Request: Approval of an information collection.

Abstract: 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 to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world are contained in “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-75).

Section 319.56-59 of the regulations provides the requirements for the importation of fresh citrus fruit from Uruguay, including Citrus hybrids and Fortunella spp., into the continental United States under a systems approach. This systems approach includes, among other things, requirements for production sites and packinghouses, pest monitoring and pest control practices, orchard sanitation, packinghouse procedures, a phytosanitary certificate, and the importation of commercial consignments only. In addition, the regulations require the use of information collection activities, such as a bilateral workplan, production site and packinghouse registration, monitoring and inspection of registered production sites, investigation and remedial action, carton markings, recordkeeping, certification and monitoring of treatment facilities, and a phytosanitary certificate.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.426 hours per response.

Respondents: Citrus producers, packers, importers, and the national plant protection organization officials of Uruguay.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 16.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 192.3.

Estimated annual number of responses: 3,077.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,311 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.