[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12926-12927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04791]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2022-0006]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Horse Protection Regulations

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 Horse Protection Program and 
enforcement of the Horse Protection Act.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
9, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2022-0006 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the

[[Page 12927]]

Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2022-0006, 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 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 Horse 
Protection Act Regulations, contact Dr. Lance Bassage, Director, 
National Policy Staff, Animal Care, APHIS 4700 River Road, Unit 84, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (585) 944-1306. For information on the information 
collection reporting process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' 
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Horse Protection Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0056.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-540), 
as amended July 13, 1976 (Pub. L. 94-360), was enacted to prevent 
showing, exhibiting, selling, or auctioning of ``sore'' horses, and 
certain transportation of sore horses in connection therewith, at horse 
shows, horse exhibitions, horse sales, and horse auctions. ``Soring'' 
is a process whereby chemical or mechanical agents, or a combination 
thereof, are applied to the limbs(s) of a horse in order to exaggerate 
its gait(s). A ``sore'' horse is one that has been subjected to 
prohibited practices and, as a result, suffers, or can reasonably be 
expected to suffer, physical pain or distress, inflammation, or 
lameness when walking, trotting or otherwise moving. A horse that is 
``sore'' is prohibited from entering or participating in HPA-regulated 
events because exhibitors, owners, and trainers of such horse may 
obtain unfair advantage over individuals exhibiting horses that are not 
``sore.''
    Section 1828 of the HPA authorizes the promulgation of regulations 
to implement the provisions of the Act. Those regulations are found in 
9 CFR part 11. The regulations delineate procedures relative to three 
processes: (1) Certification of licensing programs for Designated 
Qualified Persons (DQPs) that are operated by Horse Industry 
Organizations (HIOs). Managers and operators of HPA-regulated events 
may appoint and retain the services of DQPs to inspect and detect a 
horse that is sore or otherwise noncompliant with the HPA; (2) 
responsibilities and liabilities of management; and (3) prohibitions 
and requirements concerning persons involved in transportation of 
certain horses.
    An HIO wishing to certify a program to license DQPs to inspect 
horses for compliance under the HPA must satisfy and abide by the 
requirements of the HPA and regulations. After requesting and receiving 
U.S. Department of Agriculture certification from the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), HIOs must maintain an acceptable DQP 
program and recordkeeping systems. The responsibilities of HIOs, DQPs, 
event management, and horse transporters are outlined in the 
regulations.
    APHIS works with HIOs on an ongoing basis to oversee their 
performance under the HPA. Throughout the year, APHIS uses training 
sessions, conference calls, and open letters to HIOs, event managers, 
exhibitors, owners, trainers, custodians, and farriers involved in HPA-
covered activities to provide communication and feedback to address 
issues and strengthen enforcement under the Act. Data collected 
throughout the year from within APHIS and from the HIOs and event 
management provide an account of the HIOs' performance and progress 
toward eliminating the soring of horses and promoting fair competition. 
HIOs, through their certified licensing programs for DQPs, provide the 
primary means of detecting sored horses.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 12 provide the Rules of Practice 
applicable to adjudicatory, administrative proceedings under Sec.  
1825(a), (b), and (c) of the HPA. Subpart A incorporates the Uniform 
Rules of Practice promulgated in subpart H of 7 CFR part 1. Subpart B 
sets forth Supplemental Rules of Practice allowing stipulations in 
settlement of particular matters if specified procedures are followed.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities, as described, for 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 1.17 hours per response.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 442.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,258.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,650 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 2nd day of March 2022.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04791 Filed 3-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P