[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44193-44194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20896]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-059-1]


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.

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

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 regulations issued under the Animal 
Welfare Act for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 12, 1999 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to comment 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. 
Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 99-059-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

[[Page 44194]]

    Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 99-059-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS rules, are available on the Internet at http://
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the 
regulations for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits, 9 CFR, part 3, 
subparts B and C, contact Dr. Jerry DePoyster, Animal Care Staff 
Officer, AC, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234; 
(301) 734-7833; or e-mail: Jerry.D.D[email protected]. For copies of 
more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. 
Cheryl Groves, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-
5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Number: 0579-0092.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Regulations 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, part 3, subparts 
B and C, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) address specific care 
and handling regulations for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. 
Enforcement of the Act and regulations require documentation of 
specified information concerning the transportation of these animals.
    The regulations for transporting guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits 
require intermediate handlers and carriers to accept only shipping 
enclosures that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the 
regulations (Sec. 3.36) or are accompanied by documentation signed by 
the consignor verifying that the shipping enclosures comply with the 
regulations. If guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits are transported in 
cargo space that falls below 45  deg.F (7.2  deg.C), the regulations 
specify that the animals must be accompanied by a certificate of 
acclimation signed by a U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited 
veterinarian.
    In addition, all shipping enclosures must be marked ``Live 
Animals'' and have arrows indicating the correct upright position of 
the container. Intermediate handlers and carriers are required to 
attempt to contact the consignee at least once every 6 hours upon the 
arrival of any live animals. Documentation of these attempts must be 
recorded by the intermediate handlers and carriers and maintained for 
inspection by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
personnel.
    The above reporting and recordkeeping requirements do not mandate 
the use of any official government form.
    The burden generated by APHIS requirements that all shipping 
documents be attached to the container has been cleared by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB No. 0579-0036.
    The reporting and recordkeeping requirements of 9 CFR, part 3, 
subparts B & C, are necessary to enforce regulations intended to ensure 
the humane treatment of guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits during 
transportation in commerce.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve the 
continued use of this information collection.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will 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: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .125 hours per response.
    Respondents: Intermediate handlers, carriers, ``A'' and ``B'' 
dealers (as consignors), USDA accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,470.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.408.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,070.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 260 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 4th day of August 1999 .
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20896 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U