[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 152 (Monday, August 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 48118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20010]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0063]


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; 
Brucellosis First Point Testing of Cattle and Bison; Brucellosis 
Standard Card Test

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: New 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 approval of an information collection associated 
with the State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0063-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0063, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-
0063 or in our reading room, which 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on brucellosis first 
point testing of cattle and bison and the standard card test, contact 
Dr. Arnold A. Gertonson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Ruminant Health 
Programs, NCAHP, NAHPP, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, MSC 
3E20, Fort Collins, CO 90526-8117; (970) 494-7363. 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: Brucellosis First Point Testing of 
Cattle and Bison; Brucellosis Standard Card Test.
    OMB Number: 0579-xxxx.
    Type of Request: Approval of an information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the 
United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other 
things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement 
of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and 
dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests and 
for eradicating such diseases when feasible.
    Brucellosis is a contagious disease that primarily affects cattle, 
bison, and swine. It causes the loss of young through spontaneous 
abortion or birth of weak offspring, reduced milk production, and 
infertility. The continued presence of brucellosis in a herd seriously 
threatens the health of other animals and can cause devastating losses 
to farmers in the United States.
    The State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program, a national 
cooperative program, is working to eradicate this serious disease of 
livestock from the United States. The program uses a system of State 
and area classifications, movement restrictions, testing protocols, 
extensive epidemiological investigations, and other measures to prevent 
its spread and eradicate the disease.
    First point testing (FPT) is a key method for controlling 
brucellosis and is performed at a Veterinary Services (VS)-approved 
stockyard or other points of first concentration when livestock are 
moved from the farm of origin. The brucellosis standard card test is 
used as the official FPT brucellosis test for cattle or bison when a 
State animal health official has specifically designated it as the 
official test for cattle and bison at VS-approved stockyards in that 
State. The test is used to determine the brucellosis disease status of 
cattle and bison for interstate movement from the approved stockyards 
and at VS-approved brucellosis diagnostic laboratories. Only authorized 
State and Federal brucellosis program personnel and accredited 
veterinarians may conduct the brucellosis standard card test on cattle 
and bison at premises other than VS-approved livestock facilities. Card 
test authorization involves information collection activities, 
including a memorandum of understanding, a card test notice, and an 
authorization form.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for 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 0.1768953 hours per response.
    Respondents: State animal health officials and accredited 
veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 57.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.8596491.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 277.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 49 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 2nd day of August 2011.
Gregory L. Parham,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20010 Filed 8-5-11; 8:45 am]
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