[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37986-37987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16650]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2019-0046]


Notice of Request for a Revision to and Extension of Approval of 
an Information Collection; Tuberculosis

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information 
collection; comment request.

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

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 bovine and captive cervid 
tuberculosis regulations.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2019-0046.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2019-0046, 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-2019-
0046 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) 7997039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the domestic 
tuberculosis program, contact Dr. C. William Hench, Ruminant Health 
Center, Staff Veterinarian, Strategy and Policy, Veterinary Services, 
APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117; (970) 494-7378. 
For more detailed information on the information collection, contact 
Ms. Kimberly Hardy,

[[Page 37987]]

APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Tuberculosis.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0146.
    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, and for conducting programs to detect, 
control, and eradicate pests and diseases of livestock. As part of this 
mission, APHIS participates in a national cooperative State/Federal 
tuberculosis eradication program to eliminate bovine tuberculosis in 
cattle, bison, and captive cervids from the United States. This program 
is conducted under various States' authorities supplemented by Federal 
authorities regulating the interstate movement of affected animals.
    The tuberculosis regulations contained in 9 CFR part 77 provide for 
several levels of State tuberculosis risk classifications, the creation 
of tuberculosis risk status zones within the same State, and the 
testing of regulated animals before they are permitted to move 
interstate. The requirements for establishing zones and testing 
regulated animals enhance the effectiveness of APHIS' tuberculosis 
eradication program by decreasing the likelihood that infected animals 
will be moved interstate or internationally, thus preventing the spread 
of tuberculosis. The requirements also provide mechanisms to help 
APHIS' Veterinary Services trace, locate, and eradicate regulated 
animals when outbreaks occur.
    These regulations include information collection activities such as 
memoranda of understanding for zone recognition; epidemiological 
reviews; permits for movement of restricted animals; certificates for 
animals moved interstate; retention of movement certificates; 
tuberculosis management plans; accredited herd plans; approved herd 
plans; test records and results; affected herd data and herd testing 
results; wildlife risk surveys; monthly reports of tuberculosis 
eradication; reports of tuberculosis lesions; specimen submissions and 
collections; submissions by States of requests to APHIS for State or 
zone status; submissions by States of an annual report to APHIS for 
renewal of State or zone status; commuter herd agreements; depopulation 
and repopulation agreements; extension requests; tuberculosis infected 
herd field reports; investigations for evidence of tuberculosis; 
appraisals and indemnity claims; records of proceeds from animals sold 
to slaughter; owner participation in new tuberculosis tests; 
recordkeeping for approved feedlots; and application of shipping 
labels. These activities enhance the APHIS' ability to allow U.S. 
animal producers to manage bovine and captive cervid tuberculosis and 
compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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 0.31 hours per response.
    Respondents: State animal health officials, producers and owners 
(including feedlot owners), accredited veterinarians, professional 
appraisers, and laboratory technicians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 4,914.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 18.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 89,325.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 27,830 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 30th day of July 2019.
Kevin Shea,
 Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-16650 Filed 8-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P