[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9141-9142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5378]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
 [Docket No. 96-003-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed 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 a currently approved information 
collection in support of regulations and standards issued under the 
Animal Welfare Act for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 6, 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. 96-003-1, 
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 96-003-1. 
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 CONTACT: For information on the regulations and 
standards for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits, 9 CFR, part 3, 
subparts B and C, contact Mr. Stephen Smith, Animal Care Staff Officer, 
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 
84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-7833, or e-mail: 
SNS[email protected]. For copies of the proposed collection of 
information, contact Ms. Cheryl Jenkins, APHIS Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Number: 0579-0092.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Regulations and standards have been promulgated under the 
Animal Welfare Act (the Act) to promote and ensure the humane care and 
treatment of regulated animals under the Act. Title 9, part 3, subparts 
B and C, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) address specific care 
and handling regulations for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. 
Enforcement of the Act and regulations require documentation of 
specified information concerning the transportation of these animals.
    The regulations for transporting guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits 
require intermediate handlers and carriers to only accept shipping 
enclosures that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the 
regulations (Sec. 3.36) or are accompanied by documentation signed by 
the consignor verifying that the shipping enclosures comply with the 
regulations. If guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits are transported in 
cargo space that falls below 45  deg.F (7.2  deg.C), the regulations 
specify that the animals must be accompanied by a certificate of 
acclimation signed by a U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited 
veterinarian.
    In addition, all shipping enclosures must be marked ``Live 
Animals'' and have arrows indicating the correct upright position of 
the container. Intermediate handlers and carriers are required to 
attempt to contact the consignee at least once every 6 hours upon the 
arrival of any live animals. Documentation of these attempts must be 
recorded by the intermediate handlers and carriers and maintained for 
inspection by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
personnel.
    The above reporting and recordkeeping requirements do not mandate 
the use of any official government form.
    The burden generated by APHIS requirements that all shipping 
documents be attached to the container has been cleared by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB No. 0579-0036.
    The reporting and recording requirements of 9 CFR, part 3, subparts 
B & C, are necessary to enforce regulations intended to ensure the 
humane treatment of guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits during 
transportation in commerce.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
We need this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection 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, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other collection technologies, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .125 hours per response.
    Respondents: Intermediate handlers, carriers, ``A'' and ``B'' 
dealers (as consignors), USDA accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1470.
    Estimated Numbers of Responses per Respondent: 1.408.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 260 hours.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval of the information collection.


[[Page 9142]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of March 1996.
Lonnie J. King,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5378 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P