Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 7008 [2018-03256]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 7008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03256]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 7008]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 13, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) 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) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by March 
19, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Approval of Laboratories for Conducting Aquatic Animal Tests 
for Export Health Certificates.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0429.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA, 7 
U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) is the primary Federal law governing the 
protection of animal health. The AHPA gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or 
diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or 
restrict import or export of any animal or related material if 
necessary to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or 
disease. While APHIS does not currently require the approval or 
certification of laboratories that conduct disease tests for the export 
of aquaculture animals, some countries that import these animals from 
the United States require them to be tested for certain diseases and 
the test results recorded on the export certificates. In addition, the 
test results must originate from a laboratory approved by the competent 
authority of the exporting country, which is APHIS in this case. State, 
university, and private laboratories can voluntarily seek APHIS 
approval of individual diagnostic methods. Though APHIS does not have 
regulations for the approval or certification of laboratories that 
conduct tests for the export of aquaculture animals, APHIS provides 
this approval as a service to U.S. exporters who export aquaculture 
animals to countries that require this certification.
    Need and Use of the Information: The approval of laboratories to 
conduct tests for the export of aquaculture animals requires the use of 
certain information collection activities including notification of 
intent to request approval, application for APHIS approval, protocol 
statement, submission and recordkeeping of sample copies of diagnostic 
reports, quality assurance/control plans and their recordkeeping, 
notification of proposed changes to assay protocols, recordkeeping of 
supporting assay documentation, and request for removal of approved 
status.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profits; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 12.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 62,000.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Veterinary Services Laboratories Request Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0430.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
8301-8317) provides the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to 
prohibit or restrict the importation or entry of any animal, article, 
or means of conveyance, if USDA determines that the prohibition or 
restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into or spread 
with the United States of any pest or disease of livestock. In 
connection with this disease prevention mission, the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories (NVSL) safeguard U.S. animal health and contribute to 
public health by ensuring that timely and accurate laboratory support 
is provided by their nationwide animal health diagnostic system.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using VS Form 4-9, Request for Reagents or Supplies; VS Form 4-10, NVSL 
Customer Contact Update; and VS Form 4-11, Request for Training at 
NVSL.
    These forms are used to safeguard the U.S. animal population from 
pests and diseases. If the information was collected less frequently or 
not collected, APHIS would be unable to process reagent orders or 
provide training that customer's desire.
    Description of Respondents: Foreign Federal Government; Individuals 
or households; Businesses; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 652.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 692.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-03256 Filed 2-15-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P