[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 39 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10206-10207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04377]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0014]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Horse Protection Regulations

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: 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 Horse Protection Program.

[[Page 10207]]


DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 
29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0014.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0014, 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-2016-
0014 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) 7797039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the 
Horse Protection Program, contact Dr. Rachel Cezar, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 851-3746. 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: Horse Protection Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0056.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: In 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (15 
U.S.C. 1821 et seq.), referred to below as the Act, that prohibits the 
showing, sale, auction, exhibition, or transport of horses subjected to 
a cruel and inhumane practice referred to as ``soring.'' This practice 
causes a horse to suffer pain in any of its limbs for the purpose of 
affecting the horse's performance in competition. All breeds of horses 
are covered under the Act, although enforcement emphasis has 
historically been placed on Tennessee Walking horses and other gaited 
breeds due to the prevalence of soring documented in that industry.
    To carry out the Act, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
administers and enforces regulations at 9 CFR part 11. The regulations 
prohibit devices and methods that might sore horses. They also contain 
provisions under which show management may, to avoid liability for any 
sore horses that are shown, hire private individuals trained to conduct 
preshow inspections. These individuals are referred to as designated 
qualified persons (DQPs). DQPs must be trained and licensed under USDA-
certified and monitored programs that are sponsored by horse industry 
organizations (HIOs).
    Enforcement of the Act and its regulations relies on horse 
inspections conducted by APHIS veterinarians and by DQPs. To ensure 
that DQP enforcement and USDA-certified DQP programs are effective, 
APHIS requires DQPs, HIOs, and horse show management to maintain or 
submit to APHIS records related to these inspections, their DQP 
programs, and the horse events. No official government form is 
necessary for the reporting and recordkeeping required.
    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 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 0.6282 hours per response.
    Respondents: DQPs, HIOs, horse industry organizations, and horse 
show management.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,510.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.39.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 3,610.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,268 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 24th day of February 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04377 Filed 2-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P