[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 71 (Friday, April 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18620-18621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7042]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0036]


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

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

[[Page 18621]]

information collection associated with 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 June 
12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> 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-2007-0036 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.
    <bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2007-0036, 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-2007-0036.
    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 an information 
collection associated with regulations for the interstate movement of 
equine that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia, contact 
Dr. Tim Cordes, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Aquaculture, Swine, Equine, 
and Poultry Programs, NCAHP, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 46, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-3279. 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: Communicable Diseases in Horses.
    OMB Number: 0579-0127.
    Type of Request: 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 regulates the importation 
and interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts 
various other activities to protect the health of our Nation'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. The regulations require the use of 
an official EIA test, a certificate for the interstate movement of an 
EIA reactor, and proper identification of the reactor, as well as 
recordkeeping by accredited and State veterinarians; laboratory, 
diagnostic, and research facility personnel; and stockyard personnel.
    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 this information collection 
activity. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for 
the proper performance of our agency's functions, 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
    (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 0.0882261 hours per response.
    Respondents: Accredited and State veterinarians; laboratory, 
diagnostic, and research facility personnel; stockyard personnel; and 
owners and shippers of horses.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 10,302.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 191.8076.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,976,002.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 174,335 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 9th day of April 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-7042 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
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