[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40686-40687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11305]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

 July 12, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-

[[Page 40687]]

7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this 
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 
(202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Animal ID System; Information Requirements for 
Animal ID Number TagManufacturers, Managers, and Resellers.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0283.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
initiated 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. The first priority 
of NAIS is to identify locations that hold and manage livestock with 
the nationally unique, 7-character Premises Identification Number 
(PIN). States and Tribes administer premises registration. Once 
producers have registered their premises, they may obtain official 
identification devices that are encoded or imprinted with an animal 
identification number (AIN). As producers acquire AIN devices, a NAIS 
record will be created, linking the devices to the receiving premises. 
USDA is implementing the AIN Management System--a Web-based system that 
administers AINs. Animal health officials will have critical 
information needed during a disease traceback to determine the origin 
of an animal or where it was first tagged.
    Need and Use of the Information: In order to develop and implement 
an effective national animal identification system, USDA needs to be 
able to identify animals using compatible, uniform technology and 
information standards. The AIN Management System, AIN Tag Manufacturer 
agreements, and having approved AIN Tags, Managers and Resellers will 
ensure that the animal identification information is gathered, 
collected, and maintained in an effective, uniform system. Without this 
animal identification component, an effective NAIS would be impossible, 
and without the national system, animal disease outbreaks will be more 
difficult to trace and contain.
    Description of Respondents: State, local or tribal government; 
business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2,125.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,053.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Animal Identification System; Information 
Requirements for State, Tribal, and Private Animal Tracking Database 
Owner.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0288.
    Summary of Collection: The National Animal Identification System 
(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 comprised of three key 
components: Premises registration, 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.
    Need and Use of the Information: In order to develop and implement 
an effective national animal identification system, USDA needs to be 
able to access animal tracking information in cases of animal health 
events. The animal-tracking component will help USDA conduct efficient 
and effective trace backs and trace forwards. Without this animal-
tracking component, an effective NAIS would be impossible, and without 
this national system, animal disease outbreaks (whether naturally 
occurring or the result of an act of terrorism) will be more difficult 
to trace and contain. The longer the trace-back takes, the greater the 
spread of the disease that in turns increases the economic losses. 
Organizations that wish to participate in the animal tracking phase 
must complete the ``Request for Evaluation of Interim Private/State 
Animal Tracking Database'' to initiate an APHIS review of its animal 
tracking database.
    Description of Respondents: State, local or tribal government; 
business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 30.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 210.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-11305 Filed 7-17-06; 8:45 am]
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