[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 187 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54889-54890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19069]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0103]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds and Poultry; Chlamydiosis 
in Poultry

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 regulations to prevent the interstate spread 
of exotic Newcastle disease in birds and poultry and chlamydiosis in 
poultry.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 26, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0103 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-
2007-0103, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700

[[Page 54890]]

River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0103.
    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 on regulations to 
prevent the interstate spread of exotic Newcastle disease in birds and 
poultry and chlamydiosis in poultry, contact Dr. Glen Garris, Director, 
National Veterinary Stockpile, National Center for Animal Health 
Emergency Management, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 734-5875. For copies of more detailed information on the 
information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS's 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds and Poultry; Chlamydiosis 
in Poultry.
    OMB Number: 0579-0116.
    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 regulates the importation and 
interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts 
various other activities to protect the health of our Nation's 
livestock and poultry.
    In connection with this mission, APHIS regulates the interstate 
movement of certain poultry, birds, and other items from premises and 
areas that may be quarantined because of exotic Newcastle disease (END) 
and chlamydiosis. The regulations contained in 9 CFR part 82 restrict 
the interstate movement of poultry, birds, and other items (such as 
eggs, carcasses, vehicles, containers, and coops) to help prevent the 
spread of END and chlamydiosis and require the use of certain 
information collection activities, including the completion of 
applications (for a permit or special permit) with information on the 
health status of the birds or poultry being moved; the number and types 
of birds or poultry being moved in a particular shipment; the 
shipment's point of origin; the shipment's destination; the reason for 
the interstate movement; and items such as vehicles, cages, and 
equipment. Permit applicants are also required, under certain 
conditions, to notify a Federal or State representative of a bird's 
health status or to submit a declaration or affidavit to those 
representatives.
    The information collected by APHIS provides useful traceback 
information in the event infected birds or poultry are discovered and 
an investigation must be launched to determine where the birds or 
poultry originated. This information is critical to prevent the 
interstate spread of END and chlamydiosis, which are highly contagious 
and capable of causing significant economic harm to the U.S. poultry 
industry.
    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 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 collection of information 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 hour per response.
    Respondents: U.S. producers and shippers, and State animal health 
protection authorities.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 6.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 6 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 21st day of September 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-19069 Filed 9-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P