Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses, 62701-62702 [2016-21840]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 176 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62701-62702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21840]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 176 / Monday, September 12, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 62701]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0063]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses

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 a revision to and 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 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0063.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0063, 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-2016-
0063 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: For information on the regulations for 
the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine 
infectious anemia, contact Dr. Rory Carolan, National Equine Programs, 
Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Services, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3558. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. 
Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2727.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Communicable Diseases in Horses.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0127.
    Type of Request: Revision to and 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.
    The regulations also require laboratories conducting an official 
EIA test to be approved by the APHIS Administrator in consultation with 
the appropriate State animal health officials of the State. Approval of 
a laboratory requires the collection of information, such as the name 
of the director, location, facilities, appropriate resources, and 
training and proficiency of employees. This information helps us 
determine a laboratory's capacity to conduct accurate and reliable 
testing and to meet the requirements in the regulations. In addition, a 
laboratory must enter an agreement with APHIS and undergo regular 
inspections to receive and maintain approval. We are adding these 
activities to this collection.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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: Producers, veterinarians, State veterinarians, and 
laboratory directors.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 235,005.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,416,075.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 118,010 hours. (Due 
to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product 
of the annual

[[Page 62702]]

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 6th day of September 2016.
Jere L. Dick,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21840 Filed 9-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P