Notice of Availability of a National Animal Health Laboratory Network Reorganization Concept Paper, 24154-24155 [2013-09733]
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24154
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices
Monday through Friday, except
holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information on the Equine Herpesvirus
Myeloencephalopathy Study, contact
Mr. Chris Quatrano, Industry Analyst,
Centers for Epidemiology and Animal
Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre
Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort
Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7207. For
copies of more detailed information on
the information collection, contact Mrs.
Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–
2908.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: National Animal Health
Monitoring System; Equine Herpesvirus
Myeloencephalopathy Study.
OMB Number: 0579–0399.
Type of Request: Continuation of an
emergency 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 protect the health
of U.S. livestock and poultry
populations by preventing the
introduction and interstate spread of
serious diseases and pests of livestock
and for eradicating such diseases from
the United States when feasible. In
connection with this mission, APHIS
operates the National Animal Health
Monitoring System (NAHMS), which
collects nationally representative,
statistically valid, and scientifically
sound data on the prevalence and
economic importance of livestock
diseases and associated risk factors.
NAHMS’ epidemiologic investigations
are a collaborative industry and
government initiative to help determine
the most effective means of preventing
and controlling livestock disease
outbreaks. APHIS is the only agency
responsible for collecting data on
livestock health. Participation in any
NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data
are confidential.
APHIS is conducting an Equine
Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy
(EHM) Study as part of an ongoing
series of NAHMS studies on the U.S.
livestock population. The purpose of
this study is to collect information using
questionnaires, during equine
herpesvirus (EHV–1) outbreaks, to
identify risk factors for EHM. EHM is
the neurologic form of EHV–1 in horses.
Infection with EHV–1 can result in
respiratory disease, abortion in mares,
neonatal foal death, and neurologic
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disease. The virus can spread in many
ways, such as through direct horse-tohorse contact, through the air in equine
environments, and by contact with
contaminated equipment, clothing, and
hands. EHM is endemic to the United
States, and outbreaks are usually
handled by affected States. However,
APHIS becomes involved in cases that
involve multiple States or the interstate
movement of horses.
Due to recent outbreaks of EHV–1 in
the United States, APHIS has initiated
the study earlier than expected. State
animal health officials are currently
administering questionnaires, in person
or by telephone, to horse owners and
trainers of horses infected with EHV–1
that include cases of EHM and horses
that are not affected to serve as case
controls. The information collected is
being used to understand the risk factors
for EHM, make recommendations for
disease control, and to allow us to
provide guidance on the best ways to
avoid future outbreaks based on a
thorough analysis and interpretation of
the data.
The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has approved our use of these
information collection activities on an
emergency basis. We plan to request
continuation of that approval for 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
0.79226 hours per response.
Respondents: Horse owners and/or
trainers and State animal health
officials.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 626.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 1.57.
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Estimated annual number of
responses: 982.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 778 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
April 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09736 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0105]
Notice of Availability of a National
Animal Health Laboratory Network
Reorganization Concept Paper
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability and
request for comments.
AGENCY:
We are advising the public
that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service is making available a
concept paper that describes a revised
structure for the National Animal Health
Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for public
review and comment. The NAHLN is a
nationally coordinated network and
partnership of Federal, State, and
university-associated animal health
laboratories working to protect animal
and public health and the nation’s food
supply by providing diagnostic testing
aimed at detecting biological threats to
the nation’s food animals. The concept
paper we are making available for
comment presents a structure we
believe will give the NAHLN increased
capacity and flexibility to detect and
respond to emerging and zoonotic
diseases.
SUMMARY:
We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before June 24,
2013.
DATES:
You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-01050001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM
24APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices
APHIS–2012–0105, 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 https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0105 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 (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Sarah Tomlinson, Associate
Coordinator, National Animal Health
Laboratory Network, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, 2140 Centre Avenue,
Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526;
(970) 494–7152.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
The National Animal Health
Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is a
nationally coordinated network and
partnership of Federal, State, and
university-associated animal health
laboratories working to protect animal
and public health and the nation’s food
supply by providing diagnostic testing
aimed at detecting biological threats to
the nation’s food animals. Participating
NAHLN laboratories are currently
designated as Core, Member, Contract,
or Adjunct laboratories, depending on
their testing capacities, geographical
distribution, and degree of
specialization. Oversight and
administration of the NAHLN is
provided by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
through the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS). Input and
leadership is provided to the NAHLN by
a Coordinating Council composed of
USDA and State regulatory animal
health officials and State employee
representatives of NAHLN laboratories.
Since its inception in 2002, the
NAHLN has expanded from 12 to over
50 current active participating
laboratories, each with varying
diagnostic capacities. The need and
available technology for diagnostic
testing has also changed. Stakeholder
feedback indicates that the NAHLN’s
structure also needs to change in order
to expand detection of emerging and
zoonotic diseases. To address
stakeholder feedback, APHIS is
considering certain elements that we
believe will ensure continuation of the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:05 Apr 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
NAHLN’s founding principles while
responding to the need for additional
flexibility and capacity to address
identified gaps in the nation’s
surveillance, detection, and response
capabilities.
The concept paper describes the roles
and responsibilities of the NAHLN
Coordinating Council and offers a
revised structure for the NAHLN that
would clarify opportunities for
participation by State-based NAHLN
laboratories. Inclusion of State-based
laboratories in the NAHLN allows for
greater proximity to and linkages with
producers and veterinarians, which is
critical to early detection of foreign
animal and emerging diseases. Possible
criteria and designations for various
levels of participation, including
participation by private laboratories, are
set forth in the concept paper. Instead
of using Core, Member, Contract, or
Adjunct laboratory designations,
participating laboratories would be
designated as Level 1, 2, or 3, Affiliate
Laboratory, or Specialty Laboratory,
depending on the criteria met by each
participating laboratory. To maintain
designation, qualifying laboratories
would undergo annual reviews to
demonstrate adherence to established
NAHLN policies and procedures.
APHIS will consider all comments
received on the concept paper in
determining the appropriate structure
and governance for the NAHLN. The
concept paper for the revised structure
of the NAHLN may be viewed on the
Regulations.gov Web site or in our
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for
a link to Regulations.gov and
information on the location and hours of
the reading room). You may request
paper copies of the document by calling
or writing to the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
refer to the title of this document when
requesting copies.
Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of
April 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09733 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
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24155
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2013–0017]
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk
Analysis for Interstate Movement of
Sapote Fruit From Puerto Rico Into the
Continental United States
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We are advising the public
that we have prepared a pest risk
analysis that evaluates the risks
associated with the interstate movement
into the continental United States of
fresh sapote fruit from Puerto Rico.
Based on that analysis, we believe that
the application of one or more
designated phytosanitary measures will
be sufficient to mitigate the risks of
introducing or disseminating plant pests
or noxious weeds via the interstate
movement of sapote fruit from Puerto
Rico. We are making the pest risk
analysis available to the public for
review and comment.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before June 24,
2013.
SUMMARY:
You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-00170001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2013–0017, 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 https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0017 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 (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
David Lamb, Regulatory Policy
Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1231; (301) 851–2103.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
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24APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24154-24155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09733]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0105]
Notice of Availability of a National Animal Health Laboratory
Network Reorganization Concept Paper
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service is making available a concept paper that describes a
revised structure for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network
(NAHLN) for public review and comment. The NAHLN is a nationally
coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university-
associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and
public health and the nation's food supply by providing diagnostic
testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation's food
animals. The concept paper we are making available for comment presents
a structure we believe will give the NAHLN increased capacity and
flexibility to detect and respond to emerging and zoonotic diseases.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June
24, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0105-0001.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No.
[[Page 24155]]
APHIS-2012-0105, 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 https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-
0105 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 (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Sarah Tomlinson, Associate
Coordinator, National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, 2140 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO
80526; (970) 494-7152.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is a
nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and
university-associated animal health laboratories working to protect
animal and public health and the nation's food supply by providing
diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the
nation's food animals. Participating NAHLN laboratories are currently
designated as Core, Member, Contract, or Adjunct laboratories,
depending on their testing capacities, geographical distribution, and
degree of specialization. Oversight and administration of the NAHLN is
provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Input and
leadership is provided to the NAHLN by a Coordinating Council composed
of USDA and State regulatory animal health officials and State employee
representatives of NAHLN laboratories.
Since its inception in 2002, the NAHLN has expanded from 12 to over
50 current active participating laboratories, each with varying
diagnostic capacities. The need and available technology for diagnostic
testing has also changed. Stakeholder feedback indicates that the
NAHLN's structure also needs to change in order to expand detection of
emerging and zoonotic diseases. To address stakeholder feedback, APHIS
is considering certain elements that we believe will ensure
continuation of the NAHLN's founding principles while responding to the
need for additional flexibility and capacity to address identified gaps
in the nation's surveillance, detection, and response capabilities.
The concept paper describes the roles and responsibilities of the
NAHLN Coordinating Council and offers a revised structure for the NAHLN
that would clarify opportunities for participation by State-based NAHLN
laboratories. Inclusion of State-based laboratories in the NAHLN allows
for greater proximity to and linkages with producers and veterinarians,
which is critical to early detection of foreign animal and emerging
diseases. Possible criteria and designations for various levels of
participation, including participation by private laboratories, are set
forth in the concept paper. Instead of using Core, Member, Contract, or
Adjunct laboratory designations, participating laboratories would be
designated as Level 1, 2, or 3, Affiliate Laboratory, or Specialty
Laboratory, depending on the criteria met by each participating
laboratory. To maintain designation, qualifying laboratories would
undergo annual reviews to demonstrate adherence to established NAHLN
policies and procedures.
APHIS will consider all comments received on the concept paper in
determining the appropriate structure and governance for the NAHLN. The
concept paper for the revised structure of the NAHLN may be viewed on
the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES
above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and
hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the
document by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of this document when
requesting copies.
Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of April 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09733 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
