2012-20737. Notice of Request for a Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Tuberculosis

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 an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the bovine tuberculosis regulations.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2012-0066-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0066, 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 http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2012-0066 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 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 [phone] before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the domestic tuberculosis program, contact Dr. Charles W. Hench, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Tuberculosis Eradication Program, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Tuberculosis.

OMB Number: 0579-0146.

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 prohibit or restrict the interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests and for conducting programs to detect, control, and eradicate pests and diseases of livestock. In connection with this mission, APHIS participates in the Cooperative State-Federal Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program, which is a national program to eliminate bovine tuberculosis from the United States. This program is conducted under various States' authorities supplemented by Federal authorities regulating interstate movement of affected animals.

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 regulations restrict the interstate movement of cattle, bison, and captive cervids from the various classes of States or zones to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.

These regulations contain information collection activities, including requirements for epidemiological reviews, certificates for animals moved interstate, tuberculosis management plans, submission by States of requests to APHIS for State or zone status, and submission by States of an annual report to APHIS for renewal of State or zone status.

The total burden hours increased due to program changes and adjustments. For example, the certificate of tuberculosis test was separated into two separate burden items and their combined burden was, therefore, increased. The States are also providing more detailed information with the memorandum of understanding resulting in an increased burden. In addition, nine new forms have been added to the collection, including recordkeeping for approved feedlots.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities 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 reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.4654 hours per response.

Respondents: State animal health officials, producers and owners (including animal and feedlot owners), and accredited veterinarians.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 5,000.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 11.9532.

Estimated annual number of responses: 59,766.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 27,818 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 17th day of August 2012.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.