[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30590-30591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15280]



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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 117 / Monday, June 17, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 30590]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 96-032-1]


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 under the Animal Welfare Act 
governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of 
certain animals by dealers, research institutions, exhibitors, 
carriers, and intermediate handlers.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 16, 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. 96-032-1, 
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 96-032-1. 
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 are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to 
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For information on the regulations and 
standards governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and 
transportation of certain animals by dealers, research institutions, 
exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers, contact Dr. Debra 
Beasley, Senior 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: DB[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: 0579-0036.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 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, parts 1 through 
3, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) contain regulations and 
standards for the care and handling of certain animals covered under 
the Act. The regulations in 9 CFR part 2 require documentation of 
specified information concerning the humane handling, care, treatment, 
and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research 
institutions, exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers. The 
regulations also require that facilities that use animals for regulated 
purposes obtain a license or register with the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).
    The Act is enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), USDA, which performs unannounced inspections of 
regulated facilities. A significant component of the inspection process 
is review of mandatory records that must be established and maintained 
by regulated facilities. The information contained in these records is 
used by APHIS inspectors to ensure that dealers, research facilities, 
exhibitors, intermediate handlers, carriers, pounds, and shelters 
comply with the Act and regulations.
    Facilities must make and maintain records that contain official 
identification for all dogs and cats, and certification of those 
animals received from pounds, shelters, and private individuals. These 
records are used to prevent the intentional use of stolen pets for 
regulated activities. Records must also be maintained for animals other 
than dogs and cats when the animals are used for purposes regulated 
under the Act.
    Research facilities must also make and maintain additional records 
for animals covered under the Act that are used for teaching, testing, 
and experimentation. This information is used by APHIS personnel to 
review the research facility's animal care and use program concerning 
animal activities regulated under the Act.
    The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in 9 CFR 
part 2 are necessary to enforce regulations intended to ensure the 
humane care and treatment of covered animals. The collected information 
is also used by APHIS to provide a mandatory annual Animal Welfare 
Enforcement report to Congress.
    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 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, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and 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 1.167 hours per response.

[[Page 30591]]

    Respondents: Research facilities, ``A'' and ``B'' dealers, 
exhibitors, carriers, intermediate handlers, pounds, and shelters.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,564.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.152.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 86,945 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 11th day of June 1996.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15280 Filed 6-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P