2023-23326. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments are requested regarding; 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by November 22, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Scrapie in Sheep and Goats; Interstate Movement Restrictions and Indemnity Program.

OMB Control Number: 0579–0101.

Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export of any such animal or related material if necessary to prevent spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease. The AHPA is contained in title X, subtitle E, sections 10401–18 of Public Law 107–171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Scrapie is a progressive, degenerative, and eventually fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. Its control is complicated because the disease has an extremely long incubation period without clinical signs of disease, and there is no test for the disease and/or known treatment. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) restricts the interstate movement of certain sheep and goats to help prevent the spread of scrapie within the United States. APHIS has regulations at 9 CFR part 54 for an indemnity program to compensate owners of sheep and goats destroyed because of scrapie.

Need and Use of the Information: The regulations necessitate the use of a number of information collection activities including, but not limited to, applications for participation in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program; various plans for infected and source flocks; scrapie test records; application for indemnity payments; certificates; permits; and applications for APHIS-approved eartags, backtags, or tattoos, etc. Without this information, APHIS' efforts to more aggressively prevent the spread of scrapie would be severely hindered.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for Profit; and State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 174,851.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 828,878.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

Title: Environmental Monitoring Form.

OMB Control Number: 0579–0117.

Summary of Collection: The mission of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is to provide leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, to improve the agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and to contribute to the national economy and the public health. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality implement the procedural aspects of NEPA (40 CFR 1500–1508). APHIS' regulations require APHIS to implement environmental monitoring for certain activities conducted for pest and disease, control and eradication programs. APHIS Form 2060, Environmental Monitoring Form, will be used to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide used in sensitive habitats.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information on the number of collected samples, description of the samples, the environmental conditions at the collection site including wind speed and direction, temperature, and topography. The supporting information contained on the APHIS form 2060 is vital for interpreting the laboratory tests APHIS conducts on its collected samples. If a sample was not accompanied by this form, APHIS would have no way of knowing from which site the sample was taken. Failure to collect this information would prevent APHIS from actively monitoring the effects of pesticides in areas where the inappropriate use of these chemicals could eventually produce disastrous results for vulnerable habitats and species. If information is not collected frequently enough, APHIS' ability to effectively monitor chemical residues in the environment is compromised.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 11.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 6.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Importation of Beef and Ovine Meat from Uruguay and Beef from Argentina and Brazil.

OMB Control Number: 0579–0372.

Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8301), is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The agency charged with carrying out this disease prevention mission is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and enhancing APHIS' ability to compete globally in animal and animal product trade. APHIS import regulations in sections 9 CFR 94.1, 9 CFR 94.11, and 9 CFR 94.29 place certain restrictions on the importation of beef and ovine meat from Uruguay into the United States. APHIS must collect information, prepared by an authorized certified official of the Government of Uruguay, certifying that specific conditions for importation have been met.

Need and Use of the Information: Imports of fresh beef and beef products from northern Argentina and from specific regions in Brazil must be accompanied by a foreign meat inspection certificate that is completed and signed by an authorized veterinary official of the Governments of Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Without the information, APHIS would be unable to establish an effective defense against the entry and spread of foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases from Uruguay beef and ovine product imports as well as imports of beef and beef products from Argentina and Brazil.

Description of Respondents: Federal Government; Business or Other for Profit.

Number of Respondents: 13,100.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 18,514.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.