[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 65662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26616]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 210 / Tuesday, October 30, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 65662]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Reinstatement of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 3) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, this notice announces the Agricultural 
Research Service's (ARS) intent to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal 
Health National Program Assessment Survey, which seeks input on the 
impact of the Animal Health National Research Program through the 
completion of an electronic evaluation form. This voluntary information 
collection will give the beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity 
to provide input on the impact of the research conducted by ARS in the 
last national program cycle. This input will be used for planning the 
research agenda for the next 5-year program cycle.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 31, 2012 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Dr. Cyril G. 
Gay, National Program Leader, Agricultural Research Service, National 
Program Staff, Animal Production and Protection, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, 
GWCC, Building 4, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5148. Comments may be sent 
by phone to (301) 504-4786 or fax to (301) 504-4873. Submit electronic 
comments to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Cyril G. Gay at (301) 504-4786.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: ARS Animal Health National Program Assessment Evaluation 
Form.
    OMB Number: 0518-0042.
    Expiration Date: February 28, 2013.
    Type of Request: Approval to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal 
Health National Program Assessment Survey, which seeks input from the 
beneficiaries of research conducted by ARS for program planning and 
ensures alignment of the Animal Health National Program with the needs 
of our customers, partners, and stakeholders.
    Abstract: This voluntary electronic evaluation form will give the 
beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input on the 
impact of the national program on animal agriculture. For the purpose 
of this National Program Assessment, impact is defined as research that 
has influenced or will significantly influence the animal sciences and 
animal health, has created or will create economic opportunities for 
producers and farmers, or has enabled or will enable action and 
regulatory agencies to formulate policies and regulations to support 
American agriculture. The report and evaluation form will be available 
on-line through a dedicated URL. The input provided through the 
completion of the evaluation form will be shared with customers, 
partners, and stakeholders through webinars, conference calls and/or 
meetings, which will be held during the input stage of the program 
planning cycle.
    ARS National Program Assessments are conducted every 5 years, 
through the organization of webinars, conference calls and/or meetings. 
These input sessions allow ARS to periodically update the vision and 
rationale of each National Program and assess the relevancy, 
effectiveness, and responsiveness of ARS research. In addition, these 
input sessions facilitate the review and simultaneously provide an 
opportunity for customers, stakeholders, and partners to assess the 
progress made through the National Program and provide input for future 
modifications to the National Program or the National Program's 
research agenda.
    In the case of the ARS Animal Health National Program, the 
beneficiaries of the research are numerous, including the majority of 
the livestock and poultry industries, trade associations, Federal and 
State government agencies, and research partners in universities and 
the private sector. The electronic evaluation form will allow ARS to 
outreach to its many customers, partners, and stakeholders that are 
unable to attend the webinars, conference calls and/or meetings and 
also ensure an efficient means of obtaining the greatest amount of 
input on the impact and direction of the ARS Animal Health National 
Research Program.
    Estimate of Burden: Completing the electronic evaluation form is 
estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.
    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the input provided by a wide array of 
customers, and; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should 
be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 22, 2012.
Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2012-26616 Filed 10-29-12; 8:45 am]
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