[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 209 (Monday, October 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54310-54311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23565]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 24, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) 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) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by November 
28, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service.
    Title: National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0007.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 
U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) is authorized to among other things, administer the National 
Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP or the Plan), the primary purpose of 
which is to protect the health of the U.S. poultry population. NPIP is 
a voluntary Federal-State-industry cooperative program for the 
improvement of poultry flocks and products through disease control 
techniques. The NPIP regulations are contained in 9 CFR parts 56, 145, 
146 and 147.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using several forms to continually improve the health of the U.S. 
poultry population and the quality of U.S. poultry products. If the 
information were collected less frequently or not collected, APHIS 
could not affectively monitor the health of the nation's poultry 
population.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 6,851.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 117,254.
    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0036.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA, 7 U.S.C. 
2131 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to promulgate 
standards and other requirements governing the humane handling, care, 
treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, 
exhibitors, operators of auction sales, research facilities, carriers 
and intermediate handlers. The Secretary has delegated responsibility 
for administering the AWA to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Animal Care.
    Definitions, regulations, and standards established under the AWA 
are contained in 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3 (referred to below as the 
regulations). Part 1 contains definitions for terms used in parts 2 and 
3. Part 2 provides administrative requirements and sets forth 
institutional responsibilities for regulated parties, including 
licensing requirements for dealers, exhibitors, and operators of 
auction sales. Dealers, exhibitors, and operators of auction sales are 
required to comply in all respects with the regulations and standards 
(9 CFR 2.100(a)) and to allow APHIS officials access to their place of 
business, facilities, animals, and records to inspect for compliance (9 
CFR 2.126). Part 3 provides standards for the humane handling, care, 
treatment, and transportation of covered animals. Part 3 consists of 
subparts A through E, which contain specific standards for dogs and 
cats, guinea pigs and hamsters, rabbits, nonhuman primates, and marine 
mammals, respectively, and subpart F, which sets forth general 
standards for warmblooded animals not otherwise specified in part 3.
    Need and Use of the Information: Administering the AWA requires the 
use of several information collection activities such as license 
applications and renewals, which now include a request to identify 
whether the business mailing address is a personal residence or not a 
personal residence; registration applications and updates; annual 
reports; acknowledgement of regulations and standards; inspections; 
requests; notifications; agreements; plans; written program of 
veterinary care and health records; itineraries; applications and 
permits; records of acquisition, disposition, or transport of animals; 
official identification; variances; protocols; health certificates; 
complaints; marking requirements; and recordkeeping. The information is 
used to provide APHIS with the data necessary to review and evaluate 
program compliance by regulated facilities, and provide a workable 
system to administer the requirements of the AWA and intent of Congress 
without resorting to more detailed and stringent regulations and 
standards that could be more burdensome to regulated facilities.

[[Page 54311]]

    Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households; Businesses 
or Other For-Profit Entities; Not-For-Profit Institutions; State, 
Local, and Tribal Governments; Foreign Federal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 13,183.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Third Party Disclosure.
    Total Burden Hours: 366,021.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-23565 Filed 10-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P