[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70158-70159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27900]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0089]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Reporting, Herd Monitoring, and Management of 
Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases

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 a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection associated with the reporting, herd monitoring, 
and management of swine enteric coronavirus diseases.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0089.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2014-0089, 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-2014-
0089 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 reporting, herd 
monitoring, and management of swine enteric diseases, contact Dr. Troy 
Bigelow, Senior Staff Veterinarian-Swine, Surveillance, Preparedness 
and Response Services, VS, APHIS, 210 Walnut Street, Room 891, Des 
Moines, IA 50309; (515) 284-4121. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, 
APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2727.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Reporting, Herd Monitoring, and Management of Swine Enteric 
Coronavirus Diseases.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0416.
    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 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 of livestock and to conduct programs to 
detect, control, and eradicate pests and disease of livestock. Disease 
prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy 
animal population. APHIS has delegated the authority for prevention of 
animal diseases to Veterinary Services (VS).
    On June 5, 2014, VS issued a Federal Order to establish reporting, 
herd monitoring, and management requirements for two swine enteric 
coronavirus diseases (SECD). Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was 
identified in the United States in May 2013, and has spread to at least 
31 States. In February 2014, a related virus, porcine delta 
coronavirus, was identified in 13 States. Infections with these swine 
enteric coronaviruses can cause significant morbidity and mortality, 
particularly in young piglets. In fact, since identification of the 
porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, it has caused approximately 7 million 
piglet deaths. These two swine enteric coronavirus diseases are 
transmitted by the fecal-oral route from infected swine or contaminated 
materials. Only swine are affected. These diseases do not affect other 
animals or people, and are not a food safety concern. However, the U.S. 
swine population has minimal immunity against these coronaviruses; 
therefore, the entire population remains at risk.
    Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus minimally affected trade when it 
was first confirmed in May 2013. However, as the spread of the disease 
drew media attention, negative trade impacts increased. Unfortunately, 
trading partners are beginning to restrict the export of not only live 
animals, but also animal-derived products, such as blood products and 
other byproducts. While no restrictions have been imposed on pork meat 
exports, some U.S. trading partners have begun to discuss such 
restrictions. The lack of sufficient information to describe the 
current disease situation and to outline specific Federal and State 
Government actions taken to control the disease only increases our 
trading partners' concern.
    The Federal Government, States, herd veterinarians, and industry 
have collaborated to manage these infections in the United States. This 
collaboration includes certain information collection activities that 
were approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on an 
emergency basis. These information collection activities are

[[Page 70159]]

herd management plans, disease reporting, animal movement 
recordkeeping, fee basis agreement and statement of work, electronic 
funds transfer agreement, producer reimbursement for biosecurity 
activities (Vendor Agreement and Statement of Work, Biosecurity Payment 
Certification Sheet, and review of Statement of Services Performed (VS 
8-18)), agreements and workplans that include Standard Form (SF) 424 
(Application for Federal Assistance), Request for Advance Reimbursement 
(SF 270), and State control orders or quarantines.
    In addition to the above approved information collection 
activities, we are also adding invoicing for herd plan completion, a 
reimbursement form (VS 8-19), State and Tribal involvement in SECD 
documentation and reporting, and declaration of negative (status).
    We are asking OMB to approve these information collection 
activities, as described, 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 2.47 hours per response.
    Respondents: Pork producers, accredited veterinarians, State animal 
health officials, and personnel from approved laboratories.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 43.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 64,965.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 162,200 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 19th day of November 2014.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27900 Filed 11-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P