[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52764-52765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25426]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 189 / Thursday, September 30, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 52764]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-056-1]


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 National Animal Health Monitoring System's 
Layers '99 national study.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 29, 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. 99-056-1, 
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. 99-056-1.
    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 Layers 
'99 data collection activity, contact Ms. Marj Swanson, Program 
Specialist, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 555 
S. Howes, Fort Collins, CO 80521; (970) 490-7978. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl 
Groves, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System.
    OMB Number: 0579-0079.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The mission of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, is to protect and improve the 
health, quality, and marketability of U.S. livestock and poultry by 
preventing, controlling, and monitoring animal diseases. Collection and 
dissemination of animal and poultry health data and information are 
mandated by 7 U.S.C. 391, the Animal Industry Act of 1884, which 
established the precursor of Veterinary Services, the Bureau of Animal 
Industry. Legal requirements for examining and reporting on animal 
disease control methods were further mandated by 21 U.S.C. 119, amended 
February 7, 1928, ``Agents to examine and report on methods of 
treatment of animals and means for suppression of diseases.''
    Veterinary Services' National Animal Health Monitoring System 
(NAHMS) is charged with collecting, on a national basis, statistically 
valid and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic 
importance of livestock and poultry health and disease. Information 
from these national studies is disseminated to and used by animal and 
poultry producers, consumers, animal health officials, private 
practitioners, animal industry groups, policymakers, public health 
officials, media, educational institutions, and others to improve 
productivity and competitiveness.
    NAHMS national studies have evolved into a collaborative industry 
and government initiative to help improve the quality of, and to 
determine the most effective production of, animal and poultry health 
and disease. Participation in a NAHMS study is strictly voluntary and 
confidential.
    Layers '99 will collect data that will be used to describe baseline 
health and management practices used by the U.S. table egg layer 
industry, to estimate flock prevalence of Salmonella enteriditis, to 
identify potential risk factors associated with the presence of 
Salmonella enteriditis, to support and enhance quality assurance 
programs, and to describe biosecurity measures being used by the 
industry and their effects on flock health.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget 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 these information collection 
activities. These comments will:
    (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 0.9048 hours per response.
    Respondents: Industry personnel, private veterinary practitioners, 
company and independent producers, academicians, as well as other 
interested parties involved with poultry health and management 
practices in the United States.

[[Page 52765]]

    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,657.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.2013.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 8,506.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,697 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 24th day of September 1999.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25426 Filed 9-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U