E6-10389. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 28, 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: Tuberculosis, TB in Cattle, Bison, and Goats.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0146.

Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among other things preventing the interstate spread of pests and diseases of livestock within the United States and for conducting eradication programs. In connection with this mission, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) participates in the Cooperative State-Federal Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program, which is a national program to eliminate bovine tuberculosis from the United States. The tuberculosis regulations, contained in 9 CFR part 77, provide several levels of tuberculosis risk classifications to be applied to States and zones within States, and classify States and zones according to their tuberculosis risk. The zoning, testing and movement activities will require the use of several information collection activities.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the following information: (1) Submission of a formal request that a zone within a given State is given a different tuberculosis status than the rest of the State, (2) an epidemiological review of reports of all testing for all zones within the State within 30 days of testing, (3) the submission of an annual report to APHIS in order to qualify for renewal of accredited free State or zone status, (4) the completion of a certificate of tuberculin test that must accompany certain regulated animals that are moved interstate, (5) the retention, for 2 years of any certificates documenting the movement of regulated animals into and out of zones; and (6) the creation of a tuberculosis herd management plan as a tool for eradicating the disease within a State or zone. Without the information APHIS would not be able to operate an effective tuberculosis surveillance, containment, and eradication program.

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

Number of Respondents: 200.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 600.

Title: Horse Protection Regulations.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0056.

Summary of Collection: 9 CFR part 11, Regulations, implement the Horse Protection Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-540), as amended July 13, 1976 (Pub. L. 94-360), and are authorized under section 9 of the Act. The Horse Protection Legislation was enacted to prevent showing, exhibiting, selling, or auctioning of “sore” horses, and certain transportation of sore horses in connection therewith at horse shows, horse exhibitions, horse sales, and horse auctions. A sore horse is a horse that has received pain-provoking practices that cause the horse to have an accentuated, high stepping gait. Sored horses cannot be entered in an event by any person, including trainers, riders, or owners. Management of shows, sales, exhibitions, or auctions must identify sored horses to prevent their participation under the act.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information at specified intervals from Horse Industry Organizations (HIO) and show managements. HIOs must maintain an acceptable Designated Qualified Person program and recordkeeping system as outlined in the regulations. Information provided by the HIOs through designated qualified persons allows APHIS to monitor whether enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, its regulations, and certifying programs are effective.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 1.514.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 2,357.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.