[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 19335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9848]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 19335]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-007-1]


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 Horse Protection Program.

DATES: We invite you to comment. We will consider all comments that we 
receive by June 21, 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. 99-007-1, 
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. 99-007-
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 Horse 
Protection Program, contact Dr. Richard Watkins, Initiatives 
Coordinator, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-7833; 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: Horse Protection.
    OMB Number: 0579-0056.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The practice known as ``soring'' is the causing of pain 
in Tennessee Walking horses and other gaited horses in order to affect 
their performance. The Horse Protection Act (HPA) (15 U.S.C. 1821 et 
seq.) was enacted to eliminate soring by prohibiting the showing, 
exhibition, transport, or sale of sore horses. Exercising its 
rulemaking and enforcement authority under the HPA, the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issues and enforces regulations 
regarding horse protection.
    In 1979, in response to an amendment to the HPA, APHIS issued 
regulations under which horse show management must hire individuals to 
conduct preshow inspections, in order to avoid liability under the HPA 
if sore horses are shown or exhibited. These individuals are referred 
to as designated qualified persons (DQPs). DQPs are trained and 
licensed only under industry-sponsored DQP programs that APHIS 
certifies and monitors, and that are currently run by horse industry 
organizations.
    Enforcement of the HPA and its related regulations depends on 
inspections of horses by DQPs and by APHIS officials. In order for 
APHIS to monitor whether enforcement by DQPs and Department-certified 
DQP programs is effective, it is necessary that DQPs, DQP programs, and 
horse show management maintain or submit to APHIS records related to 
inspections at horse shows, as well as information regarding the 
certified programs.
    No official government form is necessary for the reporting and 
recordkeeping required.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning such information collection. 
These comments are invited 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 .177 hours per response.
    Respondents: Horse industry organizations, DQP programs, and horse 
show management.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 650.
    Estimated annual number of responses for respondent: 11.07.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,195 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 include in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of April 1999.
Joan M. Arnoldi,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9848 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P