[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 84 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19025-19026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10649]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. 96-018-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed 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 a currently approved information 
collection in support of the National Animal Health Monitoring System.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 1, 1996 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other 
aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 96-018-1, 
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 96-018-1. 
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 and notices are requested to call ahead on (202) 
690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the National Animal 
Health Monitoring System, contact Mr. David Cummings, Program Manager, 
Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 555 South Howes, 
Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521; (970) 490-7895. For copies of the 
proposed collection of information, contact Ms. Cheryl Jenkins, APHIS' 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360.

[[Page 19026]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System.
    OMB Number: 0579-0079.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Animal Health 
Monitoring System (NAHMS) program of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) is to deliver statistically-valid and 
scientifically-sound animal health information to consumers, animal 
health officials, private practitioners, animal industry groups, policy 
makers, public health officials, media, educational institutions, and 
others. Information is derived from data voluntarily collected on a 
national basis from producers in the dairy, beef, poultry, aquaculture, 
sheep, swine, and equine industries. In addition, information may be 
collected from individuals or groups with industry knowledge of the 
scope, causes, and public health and/or economic consequences of new 
and emerging animal health issues. The information collected is used to 
identify baseline trends in health management practices and disease, 
determine risks for new and emerging animal health issues, and assess 
the economic impact of animal diseases and management practices.
    The APHIS Strategic Plan formalized the Agency's initiative to have 
in place a proven national monitoring system that is capable of 
defining and certifying the health and safety status of the Nation's 
animal commodities and objectively assessing the economic, 
environmental, and public health implications of animal health. The 
National Animal Health Monitoring System is implementing the action 
plan by collecting data and disseminating information that is not 
available from other sources on the prevalence and economic importance 
of livestock and poultry health and disease. Emerging issues and 
disease outbreaks involving interrelationships among animal health, 
public health, economic productivity, and global trade are also being 
addressed through short-term data collection, risk assessments, and 
situation analyses.
    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 information collection 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 choose to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.46 hours per response.
    Respondents: Animal agriculture producers, veterinary 
practitioners, State and private diagnostic laboratories, State 
departments of agriculture, and animal-related industries.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,110.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,868 hours.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 24th day of April 1996.
Lonnie J. King,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10649 Filed 4-29-96; 8:45 am]
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