A Business Plan To Advance Animal Disease Traceability; Final Version, 54785-54786 [E8-22192]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 23, 2008 / Notices please call (202) 690–2817 before coming. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Animal Welfare Act regulations, contact Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734–7833. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Animal Welfare. OMB Number: 0579–0093. Type of Request: Revision and extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The regulations in 9 CFR parts 1 through 3 were promulgated under the Animal Welfare Act (the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) to ensure the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals covered under the Act. The Act and regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The regulations in 9 CFR part 3, subparts A, D, and E, cover dogs and cats, nonhuman primates, and marine mammals, respectively. Subparts B and C cover rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Subpart F of 9 CFR part 3 covers warmblooded animals other than dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Regulated facilities are required to keep certain records and provide specific information regarding health and feeding, housing, space, transportation, exercise, perimeter fencing, marine mammal interactive programs, and programs of veterinary care. We review this information to evaluate program compliance. This notice includes information collection requirements currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 0579–0092, ‘‘Animal Welfare; Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Rabbits’’ (transportation in commerce), and 0579–0093, ‘‘Animal Welfare.’’ These information collections do not mandate the use of any official Government form. After OMB approves and combines the burden for both collections under a single collection (0579–0093), the Department will retire number 0579– 0092. We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 Sep 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 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 0.302547 hours per response. Respondents: Dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, carriers, and intermediate handlers. Estimated annual number of respondents: 11,687. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 13.477881. Estimated annual number of responses: 157,516. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 47,656 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 September 2008. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E8–22290 Filed 9–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2008–0106] A Business Plan To Advance Animal Disease Traceability; Final Version Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54785 SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are making available a final version of our Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease Traceability. Based on comments that we received on our draft Business Plan, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we have amended the plan in order to provide greater clarity regarding the points of integration between the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and existing State and Federal animal health programs and brand programs. We have also added more specificity regarding traceability strategies for several animal industries, an explanation of how the NAIS can help producers meet country of origin labeling requirements, and a detailed discussion of future plans regarding radio frequency identification of animals destined for import or export. We have also updated the plan to reflect the current budget for the NAIS, to adjust the benchmarks and target dates for implementation of animal traceability, and to make other, nonsubstantive changes. The final Business Plan retains the seven core strategies for harmonizing the NAIS with existing programs and methods that we outlined in our draft plan. ADDRESSES: The Business Plan is available on the Internet at https:// animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/. The document may also be viewed 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 (202) 690–2817 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator, National Animal Identification System, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734–5571. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard animal health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated implementation of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in 2004. The NAIS is a cooperative StateFederal-industry program administered by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The purpose of the NAIS is to provide a streamlined information system that E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 54786 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 23, 2008 / Notices will help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. The ultimate long-term goal of the NAIS is to provide State and Federal officials with the capability to identify all animals and premises that have had direct contact with a disease of concern within 48 hours after its discovery. On December 19, 2007, we published in the Federal Register a notice 1 (Docket No. APHIS–2007–0148, 72 FR 71871–71873) in which we made available for review and comment a draft Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease Traceability. The Business Plan recommended seven strategies and options to enable existing State and Federal regulated and voluntary animal health programs, industry-administered management and marketing programs, and various identification methods to work in harmony with the NAIS, with the goal of creating a comprehensive animal-disease traceability infrastructure in order to facilitate 48hour traceback. We solicited comments on the draft Business Plan through the NAIS Web site (https://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/ nais/) for 118 days, through April 15, 2008. We received 183 comments by that date, from national, regional, and State industry groups, State departments of agriculture, national veterinary organizations, the operator of a horse racetrack, manufacturers and distributors of animal identification devices, veterinarians, extension agents, university professors, producers, and private citizens. In response to the comments we received, we have modified the draft plan in several places: • We now specify throughout the Business Plan that the long-term focus of the NAIS is full traceability within the cattle industries (both beef and dairy), based on the consistent recording of all animal movements. The draft Business Plan focused on implementing a ‘‘book-end’’ approach, based on knowledge of the premises of origin and the most recent premises for the animal, with fewer references to the recording of animal movements. • We now specify throughout the Business Plan that, while all producers can benefit from choosing to participate in national animal health safeguarding efforts, NAIS standards apply to the administration of disease programs. • We now separate out implementation strategies for the sheep industry from those for the goat industry 1 To view the notice, go to https:// www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS–2007–0148. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 Sep 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 to reflect that they are separate and distinct industries and species. • We have added an explanation of how NAIS participation provides producers with options for meeting forthcoming country of origin labeling requirements. • We now explain future plans for requiring radio frequency identification (commonly referred to as RFID) of animals destined for import and export when such animals are subject to individual identification. • We have added a formal acknowledgement of the importance of official brands, and a clarification that the NAIS is not in conflict with, or a replacement for, existing brand programs. • We have updated the budget for the NAIS to reflect the allocation for fiscal year 2008, have adjusted the benchmarks and timelines for implementation of animal traceability by species and for registration of critical location points, and have made other, nonsubstantive changes throughout the plan. It is important to note, however, that the final version of the Business Plan retains the seven core strategies for harmonizing the NAIS with existing programs and methods that we outlined in our draft Business Plan. We are making the final version of the Business Plan available on the NAIS Web site. Paper copies may be obtained by writing to the following address: NAIS Program Staff, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737. Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of September 2008. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E8–22192 Filed 9–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) to evaluate the environmental impacts of authorizing Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV) to access 287.5 acres of private property surrounded by National Forest System land. The Forest Service must provide PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 adequate access for the reasonable use and enjoyment of private land. LMJV intends to construct a resort and other facilities known as the Village at Wolf Creek on their property, which lies entirely within the Wolf Creek Ski Area. An alternative that evaluates combining the access for both the Village at Wolf Creek and the Wolf Creek Ski Area into a single grade-separated interchange will be analyzed. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by October 31, 2008. The draft EIS is expected May 2009; the final EIS is expected December 2009. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Wolf Creek Access EIS, C/O Content Analysis Group, 1584 South 500 West, Suite 202, Woods Cross, UT, 84010, or wolfcreek@contentanalysisgroup.com. Fax: 801–397–5628. Electronic copies of the scoping packet will be available on the World Wide Web at https:// www.fs.fed.us/r2/riogrande/projects/ forcomment/index.shtml. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Bryan, Wolf Creek Access Project Leader, 401 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, MO 65401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: LMJV acquired 300 acres surrounded by National Forest System lands within the Wolf Creek Ski Area (Ski Area) boundary in a land-for-land exchange with the Forest Service in 1987. Subsequently, LMJV transferred 12.5 acres of that parcel to the Wolf Creek Ski Corporation for the development of new ski lifts and ski trails. Mineral County Board of County Commissioners, the regulatory authority on private property development, approved LMJV’s Final Planned Use Development (PUD) for a year-round resort village, known as the Village at Wolf Creek, on the remaining 287.5 acres in 2004. A lawsuit challenging the PUD resulted in the following court order: ‘‘[We] conclude that [the state statute] requires at a minimum yeararound wheeled vehicle access between State Highway 160 and the Village.’’ Wolf Creek Ski Corp. v. Board of County Com’rs of Mineral County, 170 P.3d 821, 830 (Colo.App. 2007). The result of the state court litigation was to void the county approval of LMJV’s PUD. While no PUD is currently in effect, the Forest Service takes note that the state court litigation upheld the PUD on all issues other than access. In March 2006, Forest Supervisor Peter Clark (retired), of the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) signed a Record of Decision (ROD) and issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Application for the E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54785-54786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22192]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0106]


A Business Plan To Advance Animal Disease Traceability; Final 
Version

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are making available a 
final version of our Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease 
Traceability. Based on comments that we received on our draft Business 
Plan, which we made available to the public for review and comment 
through a previous notice, we have amended the plan in order to provide 
greater clarity regarding the points of integration between the 
National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and existing State and 
Federal animal health programs and brand programs. We have also added 
more specificity regarding traceability strategies for several animal 
industries, an explanation of how the NAIS can help producers meet 
country of origin labeling requirements, and a detailed discussion of 
future plans regarding radio frequency identification of animals 
destined for import or export. We have also updated the plan to reflect 
the current budget for the NAIS, to adjust the benchmarks and target 
dates for implementation of animal traceability, and to make other, 
nonsubstantive changes. The final Business Plan retains the seven core 
strategies for harmonizing the NAIS with existing programs and methods 
that we outlined in our draft plan.

ADDRESSES: The Business Plan is available on the Internet at https://
animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/. The document may also be viewed 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 (202) 690-2817 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator, 
National Animal Identification System, National Center for Animal 
Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 734-5571.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard animal health, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated implementation of a National 
Animal Identification System (NAIS) in 2004. The NAIS is a cooperative 
State-Federal-industry program administered by USDA's Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The purpose of the NAIS is to 
provide a streamlined information system that

[[Page 54786]]

will help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and 
effectively to animal disease events in the United States. The ultimate 
long-term goal of the NAIS is to provide State and Federal officials 
with the capability to identify all animals and premises that have had 
direct contact with a disease of concern within 48 hours after its 
discovery.
    On December 19, 2007, we published in the Federal Register a notice 
\1\ (Docket No. APHIS-2007-0148, 72 FR 71871-71873) in which we made 
available for review and comment a draft Business Plan to Advance 
Animal Disease Traceability. The Business Plan recommended seven 
strategies and options to enable existing State and Federal regulated 
and voluntary animal health programs, industry-administered management 
and marketing programs, and various identification methods to work in 
harmony with the NAIS, with the goal of creating a comprehensive 
animal-disease traceability infrastructure in order to facilitate 48-
hour traceback.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, go to https://www.regulations.gov/
fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0148.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the draft Business Plan through the NAIS 
Web site (https://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/) for 118 days, through 
April 15, 2008. We received 183 comments by that date, from national, 
regional, and State industry groups, State departments of agriculture, 
national veterinary organizations, the operator of a horse racetrack, 
manufacturers and distributors of animal identification devices, 
veterinarians, extension agents, university professors, producers, and 
private citizens. In response to the comments we received, we have 
modified the draft plan in several places:
     We now specify throughout the Business Plan that the long-
term focus of the NAIS is full traceability within the cattle 
industries (both beef and dairy), based on the consistent recording of 
all animal movements. The draft Business Plan focused on implementing a 
``book-end'' approach, based on knowledge of the premises of origin and 
the most recent premises for the animal, with fewer references to the 
recording of animal movements.
     We now specify throughout the Business Plan that, while 
all producers can benefit from choosing to participate in national 
animal health safeguarding efforts, NAIS standards apply to the 
administration of disease programs.
     We now separate out implementation strategies for the 
sheep industry from those for the goat industry to reflect that they 
are separate and distinct industries and species.
     We have added an explanation of how NAIS participation 
provides producers with options for meeting forthcoming country of 
origin labeling requirements.
     We now explain future plans for requiring radio frequency 
identification (commonly referred to as RFID) of animals destined for 
import and export when such animals are subject to individual 
identification.
     We have added a formal acknowledgement of the importance 
of official brands, and a clarification that the NAIS is not in 
conflict with, or a replacement for, existing brand programs.
     We have updated the budget for the NAIS to reflect the 
allocation for fiscal year 2008, have adjusted the benchmarks and 
timelines for implementation of animal traceability by species and for 
registration of critical location points, and have made other, 
nonsubstantive changes throughout the plan.
    It is important to note, however, that the final version of the 
Business Plan retains the seven core strategies for harmonizing the 
NAIS with existing programs and methods that we outlined in our draft 
Business Plan.
    We are making the final version of the Business Plan available on 
the NAIS Web site. Paper copies may be obtained by writing to the 
following address: NAIS Program Staff, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
200, Riverdale, MD 20737.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of September 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-22192 Filed 9-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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