[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 135 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37989-37990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15185]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0032]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; National Poultry Improvement Plan

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agriculture (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 National Poultry Improvement 
Plan.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 17, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2021-0032 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2021-0032, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.

[[Page 37990]]

    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at www.regulations.gov 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 National 
Poultry Improvement Plan, contact Dr. Elena Behnke, DVM, Senior 
Coordinator, National Poultry Improvement Plan, Veterinary Services, 
APHIS, 1506 Klondike Road SW, Suite 101, Conyers, GA 30094; (770) 922-
3496. For more detailed information on the information collection, 
contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, 
at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: National Poultry Improvement Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0007.
    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 
administer the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), the primary 
purpose of which is to protect the health of the U.S. poultry 
population. NPIP is a Federal-State-industry cooperative program for 
the improvement of poultry flocks and products through disease control 
techniques. Participation in all NPIP programs is voluntary, but 
flocks, hatcheries, and dealers of breeding poultry must first qualify 
as ``U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean'' as a condition for participation in 
NPIP programs. The NPIP regulations are contained in 9 CFR part 56 and 
parts 145 through 147.
    To administer the NPIP, APHIS requires a number of activities that 
include memoranda of understanding; flock selecting and testing reports 
and commercial waterfowl/game bird egg producing flock surveillance; 
reports of sales of hatching eggs, chicks and poults (including 
printing and mailing computerized printouts for small shipments); 
summaries of breeding flock, table-egg layer flock, meat-type chicken 
and turkey slaughter plant participation; reports of hatcheries, 
dealers, and independent flocks, table-egg producers, meat-type chicken 
and turkey slaughter plants participating in the NPIP; investigations 
of salmonella isolations in poultry; flock inspection and check testing 
reports; and hatchery inspection forms. Activities also include banding 
or marking of sentinel birds for identification prior to flock 
vaccination; requests for salmonella serotyping; applications for U.S. 
Avian influenza and Newcastle Clean Compartment and Clean Component 
Registrations and requests for removal; component audits; auditor 
applications for NPIP AI Clean Compartment Program; and compliance 
statements. Activities further include descriptions of animal 
identification and traceability processes; laboratory examination for 
Newcastle disease and reporting; diagnostic test evaluations; Newcastle 
disease biosecurity plans; indemnity compliance agreements; appraisal 
and indemnity claims for animals or materials destroyed; initial state 
response and containment plan; and recordkeeping.
    The information collection requirements listed above represent 
activities currently filed under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
control number 0579-0007, National Poultry Improvement Plan, and OMB 
control number 0579-0474, National Poultry Improvement Plan and 
Auxiliary Provisions. After OMB approves this combined information 
collection package (0579-0007), APHIS will retire OMB control number 
0579-0474.
    We are asking 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 0.475 hours per response.
    Respondents: State agriculture officials; flock owners; breeders; 
hatchery operators; table-egg, meat-type chicken, and meat-type turkey 
producers; feedlot and slaughter plant personnel; approved laboratory 
personnel; prospective and certified auditors; visitors; and associated 
entities.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,867.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 82.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 234,630.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 111,339 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 6th day of July 2021.
Jack Shere,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15185 Filed 7-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P