### 24154 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices

Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study, contact Mr. Chris Quatrano, Industry Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7207. 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: National Animal Health Monitoring System; Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study.

OMB Number: 0579–0399. Type of Request: Continuation of an emergency 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) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects nationally representative, statistically valid, and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock diseases and associated risk factors.

NAHMS’ epidemiologic investigations are a collaborative industry and government initiative to help determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling livestock disease outbreaks. APHIS is the only agency responsible for collecting data on livestock health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential.

APHIS is conducting an Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) Study as part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. livestock population. The purpose of this study is to collect information using questionnaires, during equine herpesvirus (EHV–1) outbreaks, to identify risk factors for EHM. EHM is the neurologic form of EHV–1 in horses. Infection with EHV–1 can result in respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and neurologic disease. The virus can spread in manyways, such as through direct horse-tohorse contact, through the air in equine environments, and by contact with contaminated equipment, clothing, and hands. EHM is endemic to the United States, and outbreaks are usually handled by affected States. However, APHIS becomes involved in cases that involve multiple States or the interstate movement of horses.

Due to recent outbreaks of EHV–1 in the United States, APHIS has initiated the study earlier than expected. State animal health officials are currently administering questionnaires, in person or by telephone, to horse owners and trainers of horses infected with EHV–1 that include cases of EHM and horses that are not affected to serve as case controls. The information collected is being used to understand the risk factors for EHM, make recommendations for disease control, and to allow us to provide guidance on the best ways to avoid future outbreaks based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of the data.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved our use of these information collection activities on an emergency basis. We plan to request continuation of that approval for 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 0.79226 hours per response.

Respondents: Horse owners and/or trainers and State animal health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 626.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.57. Estimated annual number of
responses: 982.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 778 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 18th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09736 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0105]**

**Notice of Availability of a National Animal Health Laboratory Network**  **Reorganization Concept Paper**

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available a concept paper that describes a revised structure for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for public review and comment. The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university-associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and public health and the nation’s food supply by providing diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation’s food animals. The concept paper we are making available for comment presents a structure we believe will give the NAHLN increased capacity and flexibility to detect and respond to emerging and zoonotic diseases.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 24,
2013.

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0105-
0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No.


### 24155 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices

APHIS–2012–0105, 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-2012-0105 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) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Dr. Sarah Tomlinson, Associate Coordinator, National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2140 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7152.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university-associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and public health and the nation’s food supply by providing diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation’s food animals. Participating NAHLN laboratories are currently designated as Core, Member, Contract, or Adjunct laboratories, depending on their testing capacities, geographical distribution, and degree of specialization. Oversight and administration of the NAHLN is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Input and leadership is provided to the NAHLN by a Coordinating Council composed of USDA and State regulatory animal health officials and State employee representatives of NAHLN laboratories.

Since its inception in 2002, the NAHLN has expanded from 12 to over 50 current active participating laboratories, each with varying diagnostic capacities. The need and available technology for diagnostic testing has also changed. Stakeholder feedback indicates that the NAHLN’s structure also needs to change in order to expand detection of emerging and zoonotic diseases. To address stakeholder feedback, APHIS is considering certain elements that we believe will ensure continuation of the NAHLN’s founding principles while responding to the need for additional flexibility and capacity to address identified gaps in the nation’s surveillance, detection, and response capabilities.

The concept paper describes the roles and responsibilities of the NAHLN Coordinating Council and offers a revised structure for the NAHLN that would clarify opportunities for participation by State-based NAHLN laboratories. Inclusion of State-based laboratories in the NAHLN allows for greater proximity to and linkages with producers and veterinarians, which is critical to early detection of foreign animal and emerging diseases. Possible criteria and designations for various levels of participation, including participation by private laboratories, are set forth in the concept paper. Instead of using Core, Member, Contract, or Adjunct laboratory designations, participating laboratories would be designated as Level 1, 2, or 3, Affiliate Laboratory, or Specialty Laboratory, depending on the criteria met by each participating laboratory. To maintain designation, qualifying laboratories would undergo annual reviews to demonstrate adherence to established NAHLN policies and procedures.

APHIS will consider all comments received on the concept paper in determining the appropriate structure and governance for the NAHLN. The concept paper for the revised structure of the NAHLN may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see **ADDRESSES** above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the document by calling or writing to the person listed under **FOR**
**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**. Please refer to the title of this document when requesting copies.

Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09733 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE** 

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2013–0017]**

**Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Interstate Movement of**  **Sapote Fruit From Puerto Rico Into the Continental United States** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the interstate movement into the continental United States of fresh sapote fruit from Puerto Rico. Based on that analysis, we believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto Rico. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 24,
2013.

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0017-
0001

.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2013–0017, 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-2013-0017 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) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. David Lamb, Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1231; (301) 851–2103.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**