[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 26518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09140]



[[Page 26518]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0027]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; National Veterinary Services Laboratories; 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 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 National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories diagnostic support for the bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy surveillance program.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
30, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2023-0027 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-2023-0027, 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 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 regulations to 
prevent the introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the 
United States, contact Dr. Christina Loiacono, Coordinator, National 
Animal Health Laboratory Network, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 
1920 Dayton Road, Ames, IA 50010; (515) 231-2515; 
[email protected]. For information on the information 
collection process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform 
Encephalopathy Surveillance Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0409.
    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 (USDA) is authorized, among other 
things, to carry out activities to detect, control, and eradicate pests 
and diseases of livestock within the United States. APHIS' National 
Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) safeguard U.S. animal health 
and contribute to public health by ensuring that timely and accurate 
laboratory support is provided by their nationwide animal health 
diagnostic system.
    USDA complies with the standard set by the World Organization for 
Animal Health (WOAH) for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) 
surveillance. This compliance is critical for maintaining our BSE-risk 
status with the WOAH. Our BSE surveillance program requires information 
collection activities, such as completing the USDA BSE Surveillance 
Submission form and the USDA BSE Surveillance Data Collection form.
    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 0.159 hours per response.
    Respondents: Slaughter establishments, offsite collection 
facilities for condemned slaughter cattle, rendering 3D/4D facilities, 
State animal health personnel, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and 
accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 178.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 121.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 21,568.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 3,421 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 24th day of April 2023.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-09140 Filed 4-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P