E6-4422. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 22, 2006.

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 regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

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: Veterinary Accreditation Program

OMB Control Number: 0579-0032.

Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among other things protecting the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry populations by preventing the introduction and spread of serious diseases and pest of livestock and poultry and for eradicating such diseases and pest from the United States when feasible. To help accomplish this mission, APHIS' Veterinary Services administers the National Veterinary Accreditation Program. This program certifies private veterinary practitioners to work cooperatively with Federal veterinarians, as well as with State animal health officials, to conduct certain activities for APHIS. Regulations governing the Veterinary Accreditation Program are found in Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 160, 161, and 162. Operating this important program requires APHIS to engage in a number of information collection activities in the form of applications for veterinary accreditation, veterinary accreditation orientation and training, paperwork associated with tasks performed by our accredited veterinarians (such as completing certificates, applying and removing official seals, and completing test reports); reviewing applications for veterinary accreditation and re-accreditation, recordkeeping, and updating information on accredited veterinarians. APHIS will collect information using several forms.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to determine that a veterinarian has met the requirements for being accredited, or for obtaining re-accreditation. APHIS will also collect information to ensure that accredited veterinarians are knowledgeable of current Federal and State animal health regulations, objectives and programs and are competent in their application. If information is not collected it would significantly destroy APHIS' ability to operate the Veterinary Accreditation Program.

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

Number of Respondents: 88,244.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 63,031.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.