[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 185 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49957-49958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25326]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-083-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

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 in support of regulations to prevent the introduction of 
exotic Newcastle disease in birds and poultry and chlamydiosis in 
poultry.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 24, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-083-1, 
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 97-083-1. 
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 are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to 
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding exotic 
Newcastle disease in birds and poultry and chlamydiosis in poultry, 
contact Dr. Karen James, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Emergency Programs, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 
734-8240, or e-mail [email protected]. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Jenkins, 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds & Poultry; Chlamydiosis in 
Poultry.
    OMB Number: 0579-0116.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for preventing the 
spread of contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases of animals 
and poultry from one State to another, and for eradicating such 
diseases from the United States when feasible.
    In connection with this mission, APHIS regulates the interstate 
movement of certain poultry, birds, and other items from premises and 
areas quarantined because of exotic Newcastle disease or chlamydiosis. 
These regulations enable us to prevent infected or exposed birds from 
coming into contact with healthy ones.
    Regulating the interstate movement of birds, poultry, and other 
items (such as eggs, carcasses, vehicles, containers, and coops) 
requires the use of certain information gathering activities, including 
the completion of documents attesting to the health of the birds or 
poultry being moved, the number and types of birds or poultry being 
moved in a particular shipment, the shipment's point of origin, the 
shipment's destination, and the reason for the interstate movement.
    These documents also provide useful ``traceback'' information in 
the event that poultry or birds are infected and an investigation must 
be launched to determine where the birds or poultry originated.
    The information provided by these documents is critical to our 
ability to prevent the interstate spread of exotic Newcastle disease 
and chlamydiosis, which are highly contagious and capable of causing 
significant economic harm to the U.S. poultry industry.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the continued use of this information collection activity.
    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: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .46 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. producers and shippers, State animal protection 
authorities.
    Estimated number of respondents: 45.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.

[[Page 49958]]

    Estimated annual number of responses: 45.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 21 hours. (Due to 
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average reporting 
burden per respondent.)
    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 1997.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25326 Filed 9-23-97; 8:45 am]
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