[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 84 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19024-19025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10648]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19025]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 96-017-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 1, 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. 96-017-1, 
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 96-017-1. 
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 the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program, 
contact Dr. Daniel Harpster, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal 
Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231, (301) 734-4931; or e-mail: DH[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: Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program.
    OMB Number: 0579-0101.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: To control scrapie in the United States, we have 
promulgated regulations establishing the Voluntary Scrapie Flock 
Certification Program. It consists primarily of identifying and 
eliminating infected animals and herds in order to prevent the disease 
from spreading. This process requires that participating flock owners 
communicate vital information to us (via mail or telephone) concerning 
the health of their animals.
    Generally, the presence of the disease cannot be detected until the 
animal becomes clinically ill. Due to the lack of a live animal 
diagnostic test for scrapie, efforts to control and eliminate the 
disease depend upon the cooperation of flock owners and veterinarians 
in reporting clinically ill animals.
    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 3.050 hours per response.
    Respondents: Flock owners, State animal health officials, 
accredited veterinarians, State or Federal veterinary medical officers, 
and State or university diagnostic laboratory directors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,180.
    Estimated Numbers of Responses per Respondent: 4.402.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,846 hours.
    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 24th day of April 1996.
Lonnie J. King,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10648 Filed 4-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P