[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65186-65187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23537]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2022-0054]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Case-Control Study on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 
Poultry

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: 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 an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the case-control study on highly pathogenic 
avian influenza in U.S. commercial poultry flocks.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
December 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2022-0054 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-2022-0054, 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 HPAI in 
poultry study, contact Dr. Alice Green, Veterinary Medical Officer, 
Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre 
Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7528. For more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Mr. Joseph 
Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Case-Control Study on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 
Poultry.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0483.
    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, poultry, and aquaculture, 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).
    Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an infectious and fatal 
disease of poultry. Between February and June 2022, APHIS mobilized 
over 1,125 employees to respond to outbreaks of HPAI within the United 
States. As of the end of May 2022, nearly $800 million in Federal 
expenditures has been authorized to support emergency response work in 
relation to HPAI, which affected over 40 million birds.
    Avian influenza viruses vary in transmissibility and ability to 
cause disease symptoms. Evidence suggests that the predominance of 
infections in 2022 have been due to independent wild bird 
introductions. As the risk of a resurgence of new infections increases, 
it is critical to identify current risk factors to mitigate future 
outbreaks.
    APHIS initiated an HPAI study in 2022 and will continue the study 
as needed to generate up-to-date information for determining current 
risk factors for infection with this environmentally hardy foreign 
animal disease pathogen. Current information on risk factors is 
critical for science-based updates to prevention and control 
recommendations.
    The information collection activity associated with this study 
consists of a multi-question survey administered to commercial poultry 
producers.
    APHIS requested and was granted emergency approval to use this 
information collection activity for 6 months. We are asking the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information 
collection activity for an additional 3 years in the event the study 
needs to be extended because of unanticipated outbreaks.
    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.

[[Page 65187]]

    Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.45 hours per response.
    Respondents: State agricultural officials and poultry producers.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 270.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.289.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 348.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 155 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 25th day of October 2022.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23537 Filed 10-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P