[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 64 (Monday, April 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15430-15431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7625]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2009-0009]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Horse Protection Regulations

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 Horse Protection Program.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
5, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0009 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0009, 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-2009-0009.
    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 for the 
Horse Protection Program, contact Dr. Rachel Cezar, Horse Protection 
National Coordinator, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 734-5784. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste 
Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Horse Protection Regulations.
    OMB Number: 0579-0056.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: In 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (15 
U.S.C. 1821 et seq.), referred to below as the Act, that prohibits the 
showing, sale, auction, exhibition, or transport of horses subjected to 
a cruel and inhumane

[[Page 15431]]

practice referred to as ``soring.'' This practice causes a horse to 
suffer pain in any of its limbs for the purpose of affecting the 
horse's performance in competition. All breeds of horses are covered 
under the Act, although enforcement emphasis has historically been 
placed on Tennessee Walking horses and other gaited breeds due to the 
prevalence of soring documented in that industry.
    To carry out the Act, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers and 
enforces regulations at 9 CFR part 11. The regulations prohibit devices 
and methods that might sore horses. They also contain provisions under 
which show management may, to avoid liability for any sore horses that 
are shown, hire private individuals trained to conduct preshow 
inspections. These individuals are referred to as designated qualified 
persons (DQPs). DQPs must be trained and licensed under USDA-certified 
and monitored programs that are sponsored by horse industry 
organizations (HIOs).
    Enforcement of the Act and its regulations relies on horse 
inspections conducted by APHIS veterinarians and by DQPs. To ensure 
that DQP enforcement and USDA-certified DQP programs are effective, 
APHIS requires DQPs, HIOs, and horse show management to maintain or 
submit to APHIS records related to these inspections, their DQP 
programs, and the horse events. No official government form is 
necessary for the reporting and recordkeeping required.
    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 
collection of information, 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 0.6280487 hours per response.
    Respondents: Designated qualified persons, horse industry 
organizations, and horse show management.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,514.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.3830911.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 3,608.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,266 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 31st day of March 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9-7625 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am]
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