E7-19069. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds and Poultry; Chlamydiosis in Poultry

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 regulations to prevent the interstate spread of exotic Newcastle disease in birds and poultry and chlamydiosis in poultry.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 26, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov,, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0103 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0103, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0103.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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.

Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on regulations to prevent the interstate spread of exotic Newcastle disease in birds and poultry and chlamydiosis in poultry, contact Dr. Glen Garris, Director, National Veterinary Stockpile, National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS's Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Exotic Newcastle Disease in Birds and Poultry; Chlamydiosis in Poultry.

OMB Number: 0579-0116.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts various other activities to protect the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry.

In connection with this mission, APHIS regulates the interstate movement of certain poultry, birds, and other items from premises and areas that may be quarantined because of exotic Newcastle disease (END) and chlamydiosis. The regulations contained in 9 CFR part 82 restrict the interstate movement of poultry, birds, and other items (such as eggs, carcasses, vehicles, containers, and coops) to help prevent the spread of END and chlamydiosis and require the use of certain information collection activities, including the completion of applications (for a permit or special permit) with information on the health status of the birds or poultry being moved; the number and types of birds or poultry being moved in a particular shipment; the shipment's point of origin; the shipment's destination; the reason for the interstate movement; and items such as vehicles, cages, and equipment. Permit applicants are also required, under certain conditions, to notify a Federal or State representative of a bird's health status or to submit a declaration or affidavit to those representatives.

The information collected by APHIS provides useful traceback information in the event infected birds or poultry are discovered and an investigation must be launched to determine where the birds or poultry originated. This information is critical to prevent the interstate spread of END and chlamydiosis, which are highly contagious and capable of causing significant economic harm to the U.S. poultry industry.

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 information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the information collection, 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 1 hour per response.

Respondents: U.S. producers and shippers, and State animal health protection authorities.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 2.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.

Estimated annual number of responses: 6.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 6 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 21st day of September 2007.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.