[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34633-34634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12262]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2022-0030]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Mycoplasma Bovis in Bison 2022 Case Control Study

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: 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 an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the 2022 case control study for the 
Mycoplasma bovis pathogen in U.S. bison herds.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 8, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2022-0030 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-2022-0030, 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 this study for the 
Mycoplasma bovis pathogen in bison, contact Mr. William Kelley, 
Assistant Director, Program Coordination & Implementation, Center for 
Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building 
B, MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7270. For information 
about the information collection process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, 
APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mycoplasma Bovis in Bison 2022 Case Control Study.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0482.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to protect the health 
of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations in the United States 
by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious 
diseases and pests of livestock and for eradicating such diseases 
within the United States when feasible. This authority has been 
delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
    APHIS first recognized Mycoplasma bovis as an emerging pathogen in 
bison herds in 2013. Since that time, few additional premises had been 
reported as affected until 2021, when multiple new premises and herds 
experienced significant losses attributed to the appearance of 
Mycoplasma bovis in the herds. These herds began experiencing 10 to 50 
percent herd loss affecting multiple age classes, with reproductive-
aged cows suffering the most significant losses. Despite the unique and 
significant burden of this pathogen on bison, little information exists 
on the sources of infection to na[iuml]ve herds. Once affected, bison 
producers report significant recurrent losses in subsequent years, and 
producers who were first affected in 2013 continued to experience 
significant losses, particularly in 2021. Diagnostic testing is not 
currently able to identify animals infected but not shedding the 
bacterium; therefore, these animals can serve as a source of infection 
during subsequent years. To limit additional herds becoming infected in 
the 2022 season, APHIS is conducting a study on the potential sources 
of new infections in na[iuml]ve herds and will collect information 
needed to identify risk factors for this rapidly spreading pathogen. 
Identifying risk factors is critical for developing prevention and 
control recommendations that are necessary because there are no 
effective treatments or vaccines currently for this pathogen and 
resulting mortality losses are high and recurring.
    The information collection activity associated with this study 
consists of a multi-question questionnaire administered to bison 
producers (herd owners or managers). In April 2022, APHIS requested and 
was granted emergency approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) to conduct this information collection activity for 6 months. We 
are asking

[[Page 34634]]

OMB to approve our use of this information collection activity for an 
additional 3 years in the event additional study opportunities arise 
from future unanticipated Mycoplasma bovis outbreaks in bison herds.
    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 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Bison producers (herd owners or managers).
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 220.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 220.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 55 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 June 2022.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12262 Filed 6-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P