[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51288-51289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24678]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 22, 1999 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-062-1]


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 regulations issued 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 November 22, 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. 99-062-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 99-062-1.
    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 the humane handling, care, treatment, and 
transportation of certain animals by dealers, research institutions, 
exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers, 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: 0579-0036.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Regulations have been promulgated under the Animal 
Welfare Act (the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) 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 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 USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), 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, and carriers 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 ensure that stolen pets are not used 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.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), 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

[[Page 51289]]

    (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 1.1708 hours per response.
    Respondents: Research facilities, ``A'' and ``B'' dealers, 
exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 8,564.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 9.9738.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 85,416.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 100,006. (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 15th day of September 1999.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24678 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P