[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42033-42034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15806]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 04-057-1]


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: New 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 initiate a new information collection activity to support 
the National Animal Health Monitoring System's national Poultry 2004 
study.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-057-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. 04-057-1.
     E-mail: Address your comment to 
[email protected]. Your comment must be contained in the body 
of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name 
and address in your message and ``Docket No. 04-057-1'' on the subject 
line.
     Agency Web Site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html for a form you can use to

[[Page 42034]]

submit an e-mail comment through the APHIS Web site.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the 
Federal Register and related information, including the names of groups 
and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the national 
Poultry 2004 study, contact Mr. Chris Quatrano, Management Analyst, 
Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre 
Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117; (970) 494-7207. 
For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, 
contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System, Poultry 2004.
    OMB Number: 0579-XXXX.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the importation and 
interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts 
various other activities to protect the health of our Nation's 
livestock and poultry. Disease surveillance plays an important role in 
protecting the health of the U.S. livestock and poultry populations.
    In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal 
Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects, on a national basis, 
statistically valid and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and 
economic importance of livestock and poultry diseases. Information from 
the studies conducted by NAHMS is disseminated to and used by livestock 
and poultry producers, consumers, animal health officials, private 
veterinary practitioners, animal industry groups, policymakers, public 
health officials, media, educational institutions, and others to 
improve the productivity and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.
    NAHMS' national studies have evolved into a collaborative industry 
and government initiative to help improve product quality and to 
determine the most effective means of producing animal and poultry 
products. APHIS is the only agency responsible for collecting national 
data on animal and poultry health. Participation in any NAHMS study is 
voluntary, and all data are confidential.
    NAHMS will initiate a national study titled Poultry 2004 on 
premises with backyard flocks in the United States. Particular 
attention will be focused on Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, 
Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, 
and Virginia. These 18 States account for 80 percent of broiler 
production, 74 percent of the layer inventory, and 85 percent of the 
turkeys raised. In addition, personal interviews will be conducted at 
live markets in the United States and a mail survey will also be sent 
to members of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association. The purpose of 
the study is to support the U.S. poultry industry by identifying 
potential disease transmission routes within backyard flocks and 
describing management practices related to control of disease spread. 
The potential benefits to the U.S. poultry industry include increased 
production through the identification of potential disease transmission 
vectors and enhanced management techniques.
    The specific objectives of the Poultry 2004 study include the 
following: (1) Identify and describe the current population density of 
backyard poultry flocks around the commercial operations within States 
that account for a large proportion of U.S. poultry production; (2) 
assess current movement and handling practices among small and large 
producers that could potentially spread poultry disease; (3) identify 
common movement, biosecurity, and cleaning and disinfection practices 
at live bird markets; and (4) disseminate information on the benefits 
of proper biosecurity techniques to poultry owners.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the information collection activity for the national Poultry 2004 
study.
    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 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 
information collection, 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 information collection 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 0.42 hours per response.
    Respondents: Backyard poultry owners within a 1-mile radius of a 
commercial poultry operation, members of the United Gamefowl Breeders 
Association, and live bird market managers.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 3,675.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 3,675.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,801 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the 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 7th day of July, 2004.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15806 Filed 7-12-04; 8:45 am]
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