[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1895-1896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-925]



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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 24, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 1895]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 95-083-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 a currently approved information 
collection in support of the Veterinary Accreditation Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 25, 1996, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other 
aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 95-083-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and 
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 95-083-1. 
Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 
14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing 
to inspect comments and notices are requested to call ahead on (202) 
690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For information on the Veterinary 
Accreditation Program, contact Dr. J. A. Heamon, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-6954. For copies of 
the proposed collection of information, contact Ms. Cheryl Jenkins, 
APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Veterinary Accreditation Program.
    OMB Number: 0579-0032.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Veterinary Accreditation Program ensures that 
adequate numbers of qualified veterinarians are available to work with 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary 
Services (VS), to carry out its mission: to protect and improve the 
health, quality, and marketability of U.S. animals and animal products. 
Accredited veterinarians cooperate with VS to perform many official 
functions and are truly the backbone of U.S. regulatory programs for 
livestock and poultry diseases. The Veterinary Accreditation Program is 
founded on the mutual respect and professional partnership between 
public and private practitioners.
    Prior to participating in the Veterinary Accreditation Program, 
veterinarians must meet five requirements, including submission of a 
written application and completion of a core orientation program. 
Information on the application is used by VS to help determine that a 
veterinarian has met the requirements to become accredited. State 
animal health officials, who have an advisory role in the application 
process, must also review all applications and recommend that 
applicants be approved or disapproved based on this review. The 
orientation program is designed to teach applicants the scope of their 
duties and responsibilities as accredited veterinarians, thus helping 
to assure that accredited veterinarians are knowledgeable of current 
Federal and State animal health rules, objectives, and programs, and 
competent in their application. As a result of the collection of this 
information a veterinarian may be accredited to perform official 
functions for APHIS, VS.
    Once a veterinarian becomes accredited, he/she is responsible for 
completing and maintaining official paperwork associated with 
accredited work. Paperwork associated with accredited work includes 
health certification documents, documents associated with applying and 
removing official seals and cleaning and disinfection plans, and 
laboratory test reports.
    The regulations governing veterinary accreditation allow for 
information on accredited veterinarians to be periodically updated. 
Accredited veterinarians are asked to confirm or update their name, 
address, professional activity, licensure, and education information. 
The purpose of obtaining this information is to maintain an accurate, 
complete, and current national database of accredited veterinarians.
    Through this notice APHIS is soliciting public comment on the 
proposed collection of information to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 
proposed 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .802 hours per response.
    Respondents: Veterinary students, veterinarians in private clinical 
practice, State animal health officials.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 58,024.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.293.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60,210. 
    
[[Page 1896]]

    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January 1996.
Lonnie J. King,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-925 Filed 1-23-96; 8:45 am]
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