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[Federal Register: June 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 121)]
[Notices]               
[Page 36060-36061]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn10-23]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0044]

 
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Blood and Tissue Collection at Slaughtering and Rendering 
Establishments

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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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 for blood and tissue collection 
at slaughtering and rendering establishments to enhance animal disease 
surveillance.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 23, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0044) to submit or view comments 
and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0044, 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-2010-0044.
    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 (202) 690-2817 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 for 
blood and tissue collection at slaughtering and rendering 
establishments, contact Dr. Debra Cox, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Surveillance and Identification Programs, NCAHP, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 200, Riverdale MD 20737; (301) 734-6954. 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: Blood and Tissue Collection at Slaughtering and Rendering 
Establishments.
    OMB Number: 0579-0212.
    Type of Request: Extension of 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), U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, is authorized to prevent the interstate 
spread of livestock diseases and for eradicating such diseases from the 
United States when feasible. In connection with this mission, the 
Veterinary Services (VS) program, APHIS, conducts animal disease 
surveillance programs, including diagnostic testing.
    The regulations in 9 CFR, subchapter C, part 71, ``General 
Provisions,'' provide for the collection of blood and tissue samples 
from livestock (horses, cattle, bison, captive cervids, sheep and 
goats, swine, and other farmed animals) and poultry at slaughter. 
Persons moving livestock and poultry interstate for slaughter may only 
move the animals to slaughtering or rendering establishments that have 
been listed by the Administrator of APHIS. Federal personnel, in 
conjunction with establishment personnel, are required to

[[Page 36061]]

complete a listing agreement and a facility inspection report (VS Form 
10-5). At APHIS' discretion, slaughtering or rendering establishment 
personnel will collect blood and tissue samples to assess the 
prevalence of disease and to identify sources of disease. The test-at-
slaughter program necessitates the use of specimen submission and 
supplemental forms (VS Forms 10-4/10-4A). If APHIS denies or withdraws 
an establishment's listing, the establishment may appeal the denial or 
withdrawal in writing to APHIS.
    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 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 0.250395 hours per response.
    Respondents: Slaughtering and rendering establishment personnel.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 66.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 162.8333.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 10,747.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,691 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 17\th\ day of June 2010.

Kevin Shea
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15301 Filed 6-23-10: 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-S
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