[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61599-61600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26027]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 27, 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 December 
31, 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: Specimen Submission.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0090.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 
(AHPA) is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal 
health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to 
detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or 
poultry. Disease prevention is the most effective

[[Page 61600]]

method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing 
the United States' ability to globally compete in the trade of animals 
and animal products. VS Forms 10-4 and 10-4A, Specimen Submission are 
critical components of APHIS' disease surveillance mission. They are 
used routinely when specimens (such as blood, milk, tissue, or urine) 
from any animal (including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, and 
poultry) are submitted to APHIS' National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories (NVSL) for disease testing. VS Form 5-38, Parasite 
Submission form, is completed by State veterinarians or other State 
representatives, accredited veterinarians, private laboratories, 
research institutions, and owners or producer.
    Need and Use of the Information: Using the Specimen Submission Form 
and Continuation Sheet (APHIS VS 10-4 & 10-4A), State or Federal 
veterinarians, accredited veterinarians, or other State and Federal 
representatives will document the collection and submission of 
specimens for laboratory analysis. The form identifies the individual 
animal from which the specimen is taken as well as the animal's herd or 
flock; the type of specimen submitted, and the purpose of submitting 
the specimen. Occasionally the time pressures exerted by or field 
conditions existing during a disease outbreak leave submitters no time 
to find or fill out the 10-4; thus, a Nonconforming Submission using 
whatever scrap of paper is handy. The National Tick Surveillance 
Program is based on the information submitted on the Parasite 
Submission Form (VS 5-38), in addition to critical surveillance 
information needed for the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. This 
information identifies the individual submitting the tick samples. 
Without the information APHIS would not have the critical information 
necessary to effectively operate a disease surveillance program.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,773.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8,605.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-26027 Filed 11-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P