[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 28 (Friday, February 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9317-9318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02903]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2020-0119]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses

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 regulations for approving 
laboratories to test for equine infectious anemia and for the 
interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine 
infectious anemia.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 
13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0119.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2020-0119, 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-2020-
0119 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1620 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 regulations for 
approved laboratories to test for equine infectious anemia or for the 
interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine 
infectious anemia,

[[Page 9318]]

contact Dr. Rory Carolan, Aquaculture, Swine, Equine, and Poultry, 
Strategy and Policy, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 851-3558. For more information on the information 
collection process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Information 
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Communicable Diseases in Horses.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0127.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the authority of 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 regulates the importation 
and interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts 
various other activities to protect the health of U.S. livestock and 
poultry.
    Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an infectious and potentially 
fatal viral disease of equines. There is no vaccine or treatment for 
the disease. Regulations in 9 CFR part 71 provide for the approval of 
laboratories, diagnostic facilities, and research facilities, including 
those that test for EIA. The regulations in 9 CFR part 75 govern the 
interstate movement of equines that have tested positive to an official 
test for EIA (EIA reactors). Identifying EIA-positive animals through 
laboratory testing and ensuring the safe movement of those equines 
testing positive for EIA requires several information collection 
activities.
    APHIS regulations require laboratories conducting an official EIA 
test to be approved by the APHIS Administrator, in consultation with 
the appropriate State animal health officials. Information collection 
activities associated with that approval process include a laboratory 
application and a director's agreement, collecting the name of the 
director, location, laboratory facilities, available resources, and the 
training and proficiency of employees. Additional information 
collection activities include written notification of withdrawal of 
approval and a request for hearing. This information helps APHIS 
determine a laboratory's capacity to conduct accurate and reliable 
testing and to meet the requirements in the regulations. To receive and 
maintain approval, a laboratory must report positive test results, 
provide monthly reports, and undergo regular inspections.
    Additional information collection occurs on the EIA laboratory test 
form, on a permit for the interstate movement of an EIA reactor, and on 
a supplemental disease investigation form for animals testing positive 
for EIA.
    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 burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Producers, veterinarians, State veterinarians, and 
approved EIA laboratory directors.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 235,018.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,157,148.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 93,030 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 this 8th day of February 2021.
Jack Shere,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-02903 Filed 2-11-21; 8:45 am]
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