[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1739-1740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00613]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2025-0538]
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an
Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses
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 regulations for the
interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine
infectious anemia and for approving laboratories to test for equine
infectious anemia.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March
16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov.
Enter APHIS-2025-0538 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-2025-0538, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., #AP760, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at http://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 for
the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine
infectious anemia, contact Dr. Lisa Rochette, Director, Aquaculture,
Swine, Equine, and Poultry, Strategy and Policy, VS, APHIS, 920 Campus
Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, Office No. 336; phone (919) 855-7276; email:
[email protected]. For more information on the information
collection reporting process, contact Ms. Sheniqua Harris, APHIS'
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2528 or email at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Communicable Diseases in Horses.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0127.
Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an
information collection.
Abstract: Under the authority of 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 regulates the importation
and interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts
various other activities to protect the health of U.S. livestock and
poultry.
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an infectious and potentially
fatal viral disease of equines. There is no vaccine or treatment for
the disease. It is often difficult to differentiate from other fever-
producing diseases, including anthrax, influenza, and equine
encephalitis.
The regulations in 9 CFR part 75 govern the interstate movement of
equines that have tested positive to an official test for EIA (EIA
reactors). Regulations at 9 CFR part 71 provide for
[[Page 1740]]
the approval of laboratories, diagnostic facilities, and research
facilities to test for EIA. Ensuring the testing of equines and the
safe movement of equines testing positive for EIA requires the use of
several information collection activities, including an EIA laboratory
test form, supplemental investigation if a horse tests positive for
EIA, agreements, requests for hearing, and written notification of
withdrawal of approval.
APHIS regulations also require laboratories conducting an official
EIA test to be approved by the APHIS Administrator in consultation with
the appropriate State animal health officials. Approval of a laboratory
requires the collection of information, such as the name of the
director, location, facilities, appropriate resources, and training and
proficiency of employees. This information helps APHIS determine a
laboratory's capacity to conduct accurate and reliable testing and to
meet the requirements in the regulations. In addition, a laboratory
must enter an agreement with APHIS, provide monthly reports, and
undergo regular inspections to receive and maintain approval.
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. APHIS has amended this information collection
due to a decrease in the number of Respondents reporting; however, the
number of Responses and Total Burden Hours reported for the collection
have increased.
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 reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .080 hours per response.
Respondents: Producers, veterinarians, State veterinarians, and
laboratory directors.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 235,015.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
Estimated annual number of responses: 1,156,816.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 92,770 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 8th day of January 2026.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-00613 Filed 1-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P