[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65652-65653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32660]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-111-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

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 in support of the Foreign Animal Disease Surveillance 
Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 13, 1998 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-111-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and 
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 97-111-1. 
Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 
14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing 
to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to 
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For information regarding the Foreign Animal 
Disease Program, contact Dr. Mark Teachman, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Emergency Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231, (301) 734-8908. For copies of more detailed information on 
the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, Information 
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Field Epidemiology Data System.
    OMB Number: 0579-0071.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 
responsible for preventing foreign diseases of livestock or poultry 
from entering the United States, for conducting a surveillance program 
for the early detection of such foreign animal diseases, and for 
eradicating such foreign animal diseases if they are detected.
    Through our Foreign Animal Disease Surveillance Program, the 
Emergency Programs division of Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant 
Health

[[Page 65653]]

Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA, compiles essential epidemiologic and 
diagnostic data that are used to define foreign animal diseases and 
their risk factors. When a potential foreign animal disease incident is 
reported, APHIS dispatches a foreign animal disease veterinary 
diagnostician to the site to conduct an investigation.
    The diagnostician obtains vital epidemiologic data by conducting 
field investigations and by interviewing the owner or manager of the 
premises being investigated.
    These important data include such items as the number of sick or 
dead animals on the premises, the results of necropsy examinations, 
vaccination information on the animals in the flock or herd, the level 
of biosecurity practiced at the site, whether any animals were recently 
moved out of the herd or flock, whether any new animals were recently 
introduced into the herd or flock, and detailed geographic data 
concerning premises location.
    The diagnostician records this information on VS Form 12-27. 
Information from this form is then entered into our Field Epidemiology 
Data System (FEDS).
    VS Form 12-27 is used for both task force emergency disease 
investigations and all suspect foreign animal disease investigations. 
After laboratory confirmation of a specific foreign animal disease, the 
information collected on the form ensures prompt attention and follow-
up by a disease eradication specialist.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the continued use of this information collection activity.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
We need this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 
proposed 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 .5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Owners and operators of livestock and poultry 
producing operations, State personnel who assist with information 
collection.
    Estimated number of respondents: 260.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.615.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 420.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 210 hours.
    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 December 1997.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32660 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
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