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. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 47589

Vol. 77, No. 154

Thursday, August 9, 2012

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection**
**Service**

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0065]**

**Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection;**  **Horse Protection Regulations**

**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 the Horse Protection Program.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 9,

2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0065-

0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0065, 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 http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0065 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) 779–7039 before coming. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on regulations for the Horse Protection Program, contact Dr. Rachel Cezar, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–3751. 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: Horse Protection Regulations. OMB Number: 0579–0056. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: In 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1821 et

seq. ), referred to below as the Act, that prohibits the showing, sale, auction, exhibition, or transport of horses subjected to a cruel and inhumane practice referred to as ‘‘soring.’’ This practice causes a horse to suffer pain in any of its limbs for the purpose of affecting the horse’s performance in competition. All breeds of horses are covered under the Act, although enforcement emphasis has historically been placed on Tennessee Walking horses and other gaited breeds due to the prevalence of soring documented in that industry.

To carry out the Act, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers and enforces regulations at 9 CFR part 11. The regulations prohibit devices and methods that might sore horses. They also contain provisions under which show management may, to avoid liability for any sore horses that are shown, hire private individuals trained to conduct preshow inspections. These individuals are referred to as designated qualified persons (DQPs). DQPs must be
trained and licensed under USDAcertified and monitored programs that are sponsored by horse industry organizations (HIOs).

Enforcement of the Act and its regulations relies on horse inspections conducted by APHIS veterinarians and by DQPs. To ensure that DQP enforcement and USDA-certified DQP programs are effective, APHIS requires DQPs, HIOs, and horse show management to maintain or submit to
APHIS records related to these inspections, their DQP programs, and the horse events. No official government form is necessary for the reporting and recordkeeping required.

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 0.6280 hours per response.

Respondents: Designated qualified persons, horse industry organizations, and horse show management.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,514.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.3831.

Estimated annual number of

responses: 3,608.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,266 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 3rd day of July 2012.
Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2012–19501 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**