[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27665-27666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7254]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0069]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; National Animal Identification System; Information 
Requirements for Animal Identification Number Tag Manufacturers, 
Managers, and Resellers

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 associated with the animal identification number management 
system, a component of the National Animal Identification System.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
11, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' 
from the agency drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket 
ID column, select APHIS-2006-0069 to submit or view public comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after 
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User 
Tips'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0069, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0069.
    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: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the animal 
identification number management system, contact Mr. Vincent Chapman, 
Program Analyst, Surveillance and Identification Programs, National 
Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0739. 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 Identification System; Information 
Requirements for Animal Identification Number Tag Manufacturers, 
Managers, and Resellers.
    OMB Number: 0579-0283.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard U.S. animal 
health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated the 
implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in 
2004. NAIS is a cooperative State-Federal-industry partnership to 
standardize and expand animal identification programs and practices to 
all livestock species and poultry. NAIS is being developed through the 
integration of three components-premises identification, animal 
identification, and animal tracking. The long-term goal of the NAIS is 
to provide animal health officials with the capability to identify all 
livestock and premises that have had direct contact with a disease of 
concern within 48 hours after discovery.
    NAIS is currently a voluntary program. To ensure the NAIS not only 
provides the results necessary to maintain the health of the national 
herd but also is a program that is practical for producers and all 
others involved in production, USDA has adopted a phased-in approach to 
implementation.
    The first priority has been to register premises where livestock 
are held with a nationally unique 7-character premises identification 
number (PIN). Producers with species identified by group or lot may use 
their premises number to establish group/lot identification numbers for 
their animals. Producers who have registered premises

[[Page 27666]]

may obtain official identification devices with individual animal 
identification numbers (AINs).
    Recently, USDA implemented the AIN Management System, a web-based 
system for the administration of AINs. The AINs are allocated to 
companies that manufacture official identification devices or 
technologies. Other individuals and organizations may perform roles 
that support the distribution of official identification devices to 
producers. The complete and accurate recording of the AINs distributed 
and assigned to each premises is imperative. There are a number of 
information collection and recordkeeping requirements associated with 
the AIN Management System, including applications to manufacture 
devices, distribution, and marketing.
    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 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 1.433333 hours per response.
    Respondents: Manufacturers, distributors, and resellers of animal 
identification devices and/or technologies.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,130.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,130.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 3,053 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 8th day of May 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-7254 Filed 5-11-06; 8:45 am]
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