[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58513-58514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23192]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0072]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment
request.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request an extension of approval of an information
collection associated with the regulations for the interstate movement
of horses that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia.
[[Page 58514]]
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
November 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0072-0001.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0072, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-
0072 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington,
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations for
the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine
infectious anemia, contact Dr. Rory Carolan, Equine Specialist,
Aquaculture, Swine, Equine, and Poultry Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3558. For copies of more
detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs.
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301)
851-2908.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Communicable Diseases in Horses.
OMB Number: 0579-0127.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: Under the authority of the Animal Health Protection Act
(7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the
importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products, and
conducts various other activities to protect the health of U.S.
livestock and poultry.
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an infectious and potentially
fatal viral disease of equines. There is no vaccine or treatment for
the disease. It is often difficult to differentiate from other fever-
producing diseases, including anthrax, influenza, and equine
encephalitis.
The regulations in 9 CFR 75.4 govern the interstate movement of
equines that have tested positive to an official test for EIA (EIA
reactors) and provide for the approval of laboratories, diagnostic
facilities, and research facilities. Ensuring the safe movement of
these horses requires the use of information collection activities,
including an EIA laboratory test form, a certificate or permit for the
interstate movement of an EIA reactor, a supplemental investigation
form if a horse tests positive for EIA, agreements, request for
hearing, and written notification of withdrawal of approval.
Since the last approval of these collection activities, APHIS has
adjusted the estimates of burden, responses, and respondents. We have
decreased the estimated total annual burden hours from 163,949 to
139,547 based on refinements to our calculations. For instance, as part
of the last approval, we instituted the use of a permit for the
movement of EIA-positive horses. However, we discovered that we
overcalculated the number of respondents who would use the form.
Similarly, the estimated number of respondents and responses per
respondent for the EIA laboratory test form have been adjusted to more
accurately reflect the use of the form. Lastly, we decreased our
estimates as to the use of the supplemental investigation form,
agreements, requests for hearing, and written notification of approval
withdrawal because we have received fewer requests than we estimated
for these processes.
We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 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 0.083 hours per response.
Respondents: Accredited and State veterinarians; laboratory,
diagnostic, and research facility personnel; stockyard personnel; and
owners and shippers of horses.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 253,785.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.6.
Estimated annual number of responses: 1,681,142.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 139,547 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.
Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of September 2013.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23192 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
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