2013-23192. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

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 regulations for the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2013-0072-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0072, 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-2013-0072 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 regulations for the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia, contact Dr. Rory Carolan, Equine Specialist, Aquaculture, Swine, Equine, and Poultry Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Communicable Diseases in Horses.

OMB Number: 0579-0127.

Type of Request: 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 (USDA) 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 75.4 govern the interstate movement of equines that have tested positive to an official test for EIA (EIA reactors) and provide for the approval of laboratories, diagnostic facilities, and research facilities. Ensuring the safe movement of these horses requires the use of information collection activities, including an EIA laboratory test form, a certificate or permit for the interstate movement of an EIA reactor, a supplemental investigation form if a horse tests positive for EIA, agreements, request for hearing, and written notification of withdrawal of approval.

Since the last approval of these collection activities, APHIS has adjusted the estimates of burden, responses, and respondents. We have decreased the estimated total annual burden hours from 163,949 to 139,547 based on refinements to our calculations. For instance, as part of the last approval, we instituted the use of a permit for the movement of EIA-positive horses. However, we discovered that we overcalculated the number of respondents who would use the form. Similarly, the estimated number of respondents and responses per respondent for the EIA laboratory test form have been adjusted to more accurately reflect the use of the form. Lastly, we decreased our estimates as to the use of the supplemental investigation form, agreements, requests for hearing, and written notification of approval withdrawal because we have received fewer requests than we estimated for these processes.

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 0.083 hours per response.

Respondents: Accredited and State veterinarians; laboratory, diagnostic, and research facility personnel; stockyard personnel; and owners and shippers of horses.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 253,785.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.6.

Estimated annual number of responses: 1,681,142.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 139,547 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 18th day of September 2013.

Michael C. Gregoire,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.