[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57255-57256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21486]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 3) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, this notice announces the Agricultural 
Research Service's (ARS) intent to seek input on the impact of the 
Animal

[[Page 57256]]

Health National Research Program through the completion of an 
electronic evaluation form. This voluntary information collection will 
give the beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input 
on the impact of the research conducted by ARS in the last national 
program cycle. This input will be used for planning the research agenda 
for the next 5-year program cycle.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Dr. Cyril G. 
Gay, National Program Leader, Agricultural Research Service, National 
Program Staff, Animal Production and Protection, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, 
GWCC, Building 4, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351. Comments may be sent 
by phone to (301) 504-4786 or fax to (301) 504-5467. Submit electronic 
comments to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Cyril G. Gay (301) 504-4786.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: ARS Animal Health National Program 
Assessment Evaluation Form.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A.
    Type of Request: Approval to seek input from the beneficiaries of 
research conducted by ARS for program planning and ensure alignment of 
the Animal Health National Program with the needs of our customers, 
partners, and stakeholders.
    Abstract: This voluntary electronic evaluation form will give the 
beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to review the 2000-2004 
Animal Health National Program Assessment Report, as well as provide 
input on the impact of the national program on animal agriculture. For 
the purpose of this National Program Assessment, impact is defined as 
research that has influenced or will significantly influence the animal 
sciences and animal health, has created or will create economic 
opportunities for producers and farmers, or has enabled or will enable 
action and regulatory agencies to formulate policies and regulations to 
support American agriculture. The report and evaluation form can be 
found online at http://www.afmtestlab.ars.usda.gov/surveys/ahnp/survey.htm. The input provided through the completion of the evaluation 
form will be shared with customers, partners, and stakeholders at the 
Animal Health National Program Assessment Workshop, which be held at 
the United States Animal Health Association Annual Conference in 
Greensboro, North Carolina, on October 26, 2004 (http://www.usaha.org/meeting04/info2004.html).
    ARS National Program Assessments are conducted every five years 
through the organization of one or more workshops. Workshops allow ARS 
to periodically update the vision and rationale of each National 
Program and assess the relevancy, effectiveness, and responsiveness of 
ARS research. In addition, the workshops facilitate the review and 
simultaneously provide an opportunity for customers, stakeholders, and 
partners to assess the progress made through the National Program and 
provide input for future modifications to the National Program or the 
National Program's research agenda. In the case of the ARS Animal 
Health National Program, the beneficiaries of the research are 
numerous, including the majority of the livestock and poultry 
industries, trade associations, federal and state government agencies, 
and research partners in universities and the private sector. The 
electronic evaluation form will allow ARS to outreach to its many 
customers, partners, and stakeholders that are unable to attend the 
workshop and also ensure an efficient means of obtaining the greatest 
amount of input on the impact and direction of the ARS Animal Health 
National Research Program.
    Respondents: 400.
    Estimate of Burden: Completing the electronic evaluation form is 
estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.
    Comments are invited on (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the input provided by a wide array of 
customers, and; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should 
be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.

Caird E. Rexroad,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-21486 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
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