[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 11433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5781]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 9, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 11433]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-009-1]


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 the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification 
Program.

DATES: We invite you to comment. We will consider all comments that we 
receive by May 10, 1999.

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. 99-009-1, 
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 No. 99-009-
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 the 
Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program, contact Dr. Diane 
Sutton, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1237, (301) 734-
6954; or e-mail: [email protected]. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, 
Agency Support Services Specialist, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Scrapie Flock Certification and Identification Procedures.
    OMB Number: 0579-0101.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture is 
responsible for preventing the spread of contagious, infectious, or 
communicable animal diseases from one State to another, and for 
eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible.
    In connection with our mission of controlling and eradicating 
scrapie in the United States, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service has promulgated regulations establishing the Voluntary Scrapie 
Flock Certification Program. It consists primarily of identifying and 
certifying flocks that are free of scrapie in order to prevent the 
disease from spreading.
    Generally, the presence of the disease cannot be detected until the 
animal becomes clinically ill. Due to the lack of a validated 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.
    This process requires that participating flock owners communicate 
vital information to us (via mail or telephone) concerning the health 
of their animals.
    Collecting this information necessitates the use of a number of 
information-gathering documents that are critical to our ability to 
locate flocks infected with scrapie and to prevent the interstate 
spread of scrapie. The collection of this information is therefore 
crucial to the success of our Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification 
Program.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the continued use of these information collection activities.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection 
activity. 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, or 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 2.5049 hours per response.
    Respondents: Flock owners, State animal health officials, 
accredited veterinarians, State and Federal veterinary medical 
officers, and State and Federal diagnostic laboratory personnel.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,180.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.3610.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 6,326.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 15,846 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 response.)
    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 3rd day of March 1999.
Joan M. Arnoldi,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5781 Filed 3-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P