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 

### 52504

Vol. 75, No. 165

Thursday, August 26, 2010

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

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

**[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0055]**

**Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National**  **Animal Health Monitoring System; Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study** 

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

**ACTION :**  New 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
initiate an information collection to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 25,

2010.

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

∑ Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov/ fdmspublic/component/main?main=
DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0055) to
submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.

∑ Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0055, 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. APHIS2010-0055.

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 the Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study, contact Ms. Sandra Warnken, Management and Program Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B MS 2E3, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7193. 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; Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study.

OMB Number: 0579-xxxx. Type of Request: Approval of a new
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 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to protect the health of our Nation’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’ national studies have evolved into a collaborative industry and government initiative to help
determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling diseases of livestock. 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 plans to conduct the Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study in cooperation with the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) and participating States. Because the respondent universe or population cannot be precisely defined, APHIS has asked DCHA and participating States to assist in identifying and contacting dairy heifer raising operations. This is a small population that has never been studied previously. We believe this population, which includes small farm operations, is important because the movement of animals between these operations and commercial dairy operations could potentially facilitate the transmission of critically important diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). The 17 States targeted for the study participated in the NAHMS Dairy 2007 Study and account for approximately 82 percent of the dairy cow population in the United States and 80 percent of U.S. operations with dairy cows.

The purpose of this study is to collect information through a questionnaire to:

∑ Provide preliminary information on animal health and management practices for dairy heifer raising operations.

∑ Evaluate the biosecurity risks associated with the dairy heifer raising operations, e.g., commingling cattle from multiple operations and exposing young cattle to Mexican cattle.

∑ Assist in the development of a biosecurity assessment that can be used
to evaluate the risk of disease transmission, e.g., TB and BVD, on dairy heifer raising operations.

The study will consist of a questionnaire to be mailed to and completed by participating producers or administered by APHIS-designated data collectors (primarily personnel from participating States). The information collected through the Dairy Heifer Raiser 2010 Study will be analyzed and organized into descriptive reports for DCHA members and each participating State and a summary report. Information will be disseminated to and used by a variety of constituents, including producers, veterinarians, stakeholders, academia, and others. The data will help APHIS address emerging issues and examine the impact of selected animal health management practices.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.


### 52505 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 165 / Thursday, August 26, 2010 / Notices

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as 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

(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 0.878 hours per response.

Respondents: Dairy heifer raisers in

17 States.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,000.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of

responses: 1,000.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 878 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 20 th day of August 2010.

Kevin Shea Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2010–21292 Filed 8–25–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–S**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

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

**[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0073]**

**Fiscal Year 2011 Veterinary Import/ Export Services, Veterinary Diagnostic**  **Services, and Export Certification for**

**Plants and Plant Products User Fees**

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

**SUMMARY :**  This notice pertains to userfees charged for import- and exportrelated services that we provide for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors; for certain veterinary diagnostic services; and for export certification of plants and plant products. The purpose of this notice is to remind the public of the user fees for fiscal year 2011 (October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011).

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on Veterinary Diagnostic program operations, contact Dr. Elizabeth Lautner, Director, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, VS, APHIS, 1800 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010; (515) 663-7301.

For information on Veterinary Services import and export program operations, contact Ms. Carol A. Tuszynski, Director, Planning, Finance & Strategy, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-0832.

For information on plant and plant product export certification program operations, contact Mr. William E. Thomas, Director, Quarantine Policy, Analysis & Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5214.

For information concerning user fee rate development, contact Mrs. Kris Caraher, Section Head, User Fees Section, Financial Services Branch, FMD, MRPBS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301)

734-0882.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Background

Veterinary Import/Export User Fees

The regulations in 9 CFR part 130 (referred to below as the regulations) list user fees for import- and export-related services provided by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors.

These user fees are authorized by section 2509(c)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended (21 U.S.C. 136a), which provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may establish and collect fees that will cover the cost of providing import- and export-related services for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors.

The veterinary import/export user fees are found in §§ 130.2 through 130.11 and §§ 130.20 through 130.30 of the regulations and cover the following:

∑ Any service rendered by an APHIS representative for each animal or bird receiving standard housing, care, feed, and handling while quarantined in an APHIS-owned or -operated animal import center or quarantine facility;

∑ Birds or poultry, including zoo birds or poultry, receiving nonstandard housing, care, or handling to meet special requirements while quarantined in an APHIS-owned or -operated animal import center or quarantine facility;

∑ Exclusive use of space at APHIS Animal Import Centers;

∑ Processing import permit applications;

∑ Any service rendered by an APHIS representative for live animals presented for importation or entry into the United States through a land border port along the United States-Mexico border;

∑ Any service rendered for live animals at land border ports along the United States-Canada border;

∑ Miscellaneous services;

∑ Pet birds quarantined in an animal import center or other APHIS-owned or supervised quarantine facility;

∑ The inspection of various import and export facilities and establishments;

∑ The endorsement of export health certificates that do not require the verification of tests or vaccinations;

∑ The endorsement of export health certificates that require the verification of tests and vaccinations; and

∑ Hourly rate and minimum user fees. On October 1, 2010, the veterinary import/export user fees for fiscal year 2011 will take effect. You may view the regulations in 9 CFR part 130, which includes charts showing all of the fiscal year 2011 veterinary import/export user fees, on the Internet at Regulation.gov, at (http://www.regulations.gov/ fdmspublic/component/main?main=
DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0073).

Veterinary Diagnostic Services User

Fees

User fees to reimburse APHIS for the costs of providing veterinary diagnostic services are also contained in 9 CFR part 130. These user fees are authorized by section 2509(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended (21 U.S.C. 136a), which provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may, among other things, prescribe regulations and collect fees to recover the costs of veterinary diagnostics relating to the control and
eradication of communicable diseases of livestock and poultry within the United

States.

Veterinary diagnostics is the work performed in a laboratory to determine whether a disease-causing organism or chemical agent is present in body tissues or cells and, if so, to identify