Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Agriculture

###### Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

          - [Docket No. APHIS-2007-0011] 

# AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. 

# ACTION:

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 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 May 18, 2007. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods: 
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal:                          Go to                          http://www.regulations.gov,                          select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0011 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link.                     
      -  Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:                          Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0011, 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-2007-0011.                     

*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 regarding an information collection associated with regulations for blood and tissue collection at slaughtering and rendering establishments, contact Dr. Adam Grow, Director, Surveillance and Identification Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-6954. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477. 

# 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:*                     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 complete a listing agreement and a facility inspection report. 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 a specimen submission form, VS Form 10-4. 

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 information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 

                    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and                           ( print page 12755)    

(4) Minimize the burden of the information collection 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 0.3278853 hours per response.                 

*Respondents:*                     Slaughtering and rendering establishment personnel.                 

*Estimated annual number of respondents:*                     155.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:*                     83.2903.                 

*Estimated annual number of responses:*                     12,910.                 

*Estimated total annual burden on respondents:*                     4,233 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 13th day of March 2007. 

Kevin Shea, 

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. E7-4917 Filed 3-16-07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P