USDA Asks for Comments on Lacey Act Declaration Forms
The Agriculture Department is asking for comments on its Lacey Act Declaration for plant and plant products, in light of the 2008 expansion of Lacey Act coverage to illegal logging practices. Comments are due to USDA and the Office of Management and Budget by Nov. 26.
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Under the amended Lacey Act, importers are required to submit a declaration form (PPQ-505) for certain plants and plant products, and a supplemental form (PPQ-505B) to provide the declarer additional space to enter the required information, if needed. The declaration must contain the scientific name of the plant, value of importation, quantity of the plant, and name of the country from which the plant was harvested. If the species varies or is unknown, importers will have to declare the name of each species that may have been used to produce the product. The information will be used to support investigations into illegal logging practices by the Justice Department and also acts as a deterrent to illegal logging practices worldwide, USDA said.
USDA estimates it will take 20,352 respondents an average of about ten hours to complete the forms, for a total of 203,846 burden hours.
USDA is requesting comments that address (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments should be addressed to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, 725 -- 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20502. Commenters should submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, D.C. 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.