[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50980-50981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20737]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0066]


Notice of Request for a Revision to and Extension of Approval of 
an Information Collection; Tuberculosis

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and 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 bovine tuberculosis regulations.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0066-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0066, 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-2012-
0066 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the domestic 
tuberculosis program, contact Dr. Charles W. Hench, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Tuberculosis Eradication Program, APHIS, 2150 Centre 
Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7378. 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: Tuberculosis.
    OMB Number: 0579-0146.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of 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 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other 
things, to prohibit or restrict the interstate movement of animals and 
animal products to prevent the dissemination within the United States 
of animal diseases and pests and for conducting programs to detect, 
control, and eradicate pests and diseases of livestock. In connection 
with this mission, APHIS participates in the Cooperative State-Federal 
Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program, which is a national program to 
eliminate bovine tuberculosis from the United States. This program is 
conducted under various States' authorities supplemented by Federal 
authorities regulating interstate movement of affected animals.
    The tuberculosis regulations contained in 9 CFR part 77 provide 
several levels of tuberculosis risk classifications to be applied to 
States and zones within States, and classify States and zones according 
to their tuberculosis risk. The regulations restrict the interstate 
movement of cattle, bison, and captive cervids from the various classes 
of States or zones to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
    These regulations contain information collection activities, 
including requirements for epidemiological reviews, certificates for 
animals moved interstate, tuberculosis management plans, submission by 
States of requests to APHIS for State or zone status, and submission by 
States of an annual report to APHIS for renewal of State or zone 
status.
    The total burden hours increased due to program changes and 
adjustments. For example, the certificate of tuberculosis test was 
separated into two separate burden items and their combined burden was, 
therefore, increased. The States are also providing more detailed 
information with the memorandum of understanding resulting in an 
increased burden. In addition, nine new forms have been added to the 
collection, including recordkeeping for approved feedlots.
    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

[[Page 50981]]

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 0.4654 hours per response.
    Respondents: State animal health officials, producers and owners 
(including animal and feedlot owners), and accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 11.9532.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 59,766.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 27,818 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 17th day of August 2012.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20737 Filed 8-22-12; 8:45 am]
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