[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7632-7633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02759]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0099]


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; 
National Animal Health Laboratory Network Qualification Checklist for 
Membership

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 a new information collection 
associated with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network 
qualification checklist for membership.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 
11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0099-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0099, 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-2013-
0099 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 National Animal 
Health Laboratory Network qualification checklist, contact Mrs. Kelly 
Burkhart, Microbiologist, National Animal Health Laboratory Network, 
NVSL, VS, APHIS, 1920 Dayton Road, Ames, IA 50010; (515) 337-7731. 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: National Animal Health Laboratory Network Qualification 
Checklist for Membership.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Abstract: The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is 
a cooperative effort between two agencies within the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). 
NAHLN was established to coordinate the testing capacities of Federal 
veterinary diagnostic laboratories with the extensive infrastructure of 
State and university veterinary diagnostic laboratories. This network 
enhances the United States' early detection of and response to animal 
health emergencies, including bioterrorists events, newly emerging 
disease, and foreign animal disease agents that could threaten the 
nation's food supply and public health.
    In 2002, NAHLN was created when APHIS and NIFA entered into 
cooperative agreements with 12 State and university veterinary 
diagnostic laboratories. APHIS has since contracted with additional 
State and university diagnostic laboratories to assist with testing and 
surveillance, and NAHLN currently consists of 56 State and university 
laboratories as well as other Federal laboratories.
    At the Federal level, APHIS' National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories (NVSL) serves as the national veterinary diagnostic 
reference and confirmatory laboratory. NVSL coordinates activities, 
participates in methods validation, and provides training, proficiency 
testing, assistance, materials, and prototypes for diagnostic testing. 
NVSL also reviews the qualifications of non-USDA laboratories for 
approval to participate in NAHLN surveillance activities.
    As part of the approval process, APHIS requires the use of certain 
information collection activities, including instructions, policy 
documentation, quality document verification, documentation of 
accreditation, documentation of implemented quality system, and 
approval certificates and cover letters.
    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 8.483 hours per response.
    Respondents: Laboratory directors and State animal health 
officials.

[[Page 7633]]

    Estimated annual number of respondents: 60.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 360.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 3,054 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 3rd day of February 2014.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02759 Filed 2-7-14; 8:45 am]
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