[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27666-27667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7255]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0066]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; National Animal Identification System; Information 
Requirements for Private and State Animal Tracking Database Owners

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 integration of private and State animal 
tracking databases with 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-2006-0066 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-2006-0066, 
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-2006-0066.
    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 
integration of private and State animal tracking databases with the 
National Animal Identification 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 Private and State Animal Tracking Database Owners.
    OMB Number: 0579-0288.
    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

[[Page 27667]]

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 
implementing three key components: Premises registration, animal 
identification, and animal tracking. The USDA has already developed 
information systems to support the first two components. The third 
component will be developed through a government/industry partnership, 
in which animal movement information will be maintained in private and/
or State databases and made available to the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) as needed in specific situations to trace 
animal movements.
    A document entitled ``Integration of Private and State Animal 
Tracking Databases with the NAIS; Interim Development Phase,'' presents 
our initial plans for moving forward with the implementation of this 
system. The document describes the Animal Trace Processing System 
(ATPS), a system for processing animal movement data. A two-phase plan 
for implementing the ATPS is also described. The plan consists of an 
interim/development phase, which is set to begin in 2006, and an 
implementation phase, which is targeted for early 2007. Finally, the 
document provides data standards and technical requirements and 
specifications that databases must meet to be eligible for 
participation in the interim phase.
    Organizations that wish to participate in this phase of the NAIS 
must complete the ``Request for Evaluation of Interim Private/State 
Animal Tracking Database'' to initiate an APHIS review of its animal 
tracking database (ATD). If an organization's ATD meets the interim 
requirements, an organization may elect to enter into a cooperative 
agreement with APHIS. The cooperative agreement will outline data 
elements and access and operating procedures, as well as stipulate how 
movement data will be archived and transferred in the event the 
organization and/or technology company ceases business or elects to 
discontinue the operation of the ATD. The cooperative agreement will 
ensure that animal health officials have access to the information 
contained in the ATD when necessary to perform their duties.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget to extend 
approval of the information collection activities associated with the 
ATPS 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 8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Private and State animal tracking database owners.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 30.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 30.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 210 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. E6-7255 Filed 5-11-06; 8:45 am]
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