[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38093-38094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3463]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 05-043-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Johne's Disease in Domestic Animals; Interstate Movement

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 for the interstate movement of 
animals affected with Johne's disease.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     EDOCKET: Go to http://www.epa.gov/feddocket to submit or 
view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the 
official public docket, and to access those documents in the public 
docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered 
EDOCKET, click on the ``View Open APHIS Dockets'' link to locate this 
document.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05-043-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

[[Page 38094]]

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05-043-1.
    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 on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding regulations 
for the interstate movement of animals affected with Johne's disease, 
contact Dr. Michael Carter, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Ruminant Health 
Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-4914. 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: Johne's Disease in Domestic Animals; Interstate Movement.
    OMB Number: 0579-0148.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among other 
things, preventing the spread of serious communicable animal diseases 
(such as Johne's disease) from one State to another, and for 
eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible.
    Johne's disease, also known as paratuberculosis, is caused by 
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and primarily affects cattle, sheep, 
goats, and other domestic, exotic, and wild ruminants. The disease is a 
chronic and contagious enteritis that results in progressive wasting 
and eventual death. It is nearly always introduced into a healthy herd 
by an infected animal that is not showing symptoms of the disease.
    The regulations in title 9, chapter I, subchapter C of the Code of 
Federal Regulations govern the interstate movement of animals to 
prevent the dissemination of livestock and poultry diseases in the 
United States. Within subchapter C, part 71 contains general provisions 
for the interstate transportation of animals, poultry, and animal 
products, while part 80 pertains specifically to the interstate 
movement of domestic animals that are positive to an official test for 
Johne's disease.
    Our regulations provide that cattle, sheep, goats, and other 
domestic animals that are positive to an official test for Johne's 
disease may generally be moved interstate only to a recognized 
slaughtering establishment or to an approved livestock facility for 
sale to such an establishment. The animals must bear an official eartag 
and be shipped with an owner-shipper statement.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection 
activity. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for 
the proper performance of our agency's functions, 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, or other collection technologies, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Herd owners, shippers, and State representatives.
    Estimated number of respondents: 250.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 250.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 50 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 27th day of June 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E5-3463 Filed 6-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P