81_FR_51326 81 FR 51177 - Privacy Act Systems of Records; Veterinary Services-Records of Accredited Veterinarians

81 FR 51177 - Privacy Act Systems of Records; Veterinary Services-Records of Accredited Veterinarians

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 149 (August 3, 2016)

Page Range51177-51178
FR Document2016-18357

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed to alter an existing system of records in its inventory of record systems subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The system of records is Veterinary Services--Records of Accredited Veterinarians, USDA-APHIS-2. The system, as proposed, has been adopted; however, we received one comment, which is addressed in this notice.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 149 (Wednesday, August 3, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51177-51178]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18357]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0103]


Privacy Act Systems of Records; Veterinary Services--Records of 
Accredited Veterinarians

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed to 
alter an existing system of records in its inventory of record systems 
subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The 
system of records is Veterinary Services--Records of Accredited 
Veterinarians, USDA-APHIS-2. The system, as proposed, has been adopted; 
however, we received one comment, which is addressed in this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Todd Behre, Program Coordinator, 
National Veterinary Accreditation Program, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737; (518) 281-2157.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 
U.S.C. 552a), requires agencies to publish in the Federal Register 
notice of new or revised systems of records. A system of records is a 
group of any records under the control of any agency, from which 
information is retrieved by the name of an individual or by some 
identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to 
an individual.
    On May 12, 2015, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published 
in the Federal Register (80 FR 27142-27145, APHIS-2012-0103) \1\ a 
proposal to alter a system of records, entitled Veterinary Services--
Records of Accredited Veterinarians, which maintains information 
pertaining to veterinarians who are or have been accredited, or who 
have applied for accreditation, under the authority of section 10410 of 
the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8309).
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    \1\ To view the notice and the comment we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0103.
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    Accredited veterinarians are veterinarians authorized by APHIS to 
perform certain services to control and prevent the spread of animal 
diseases within the United States and internationally. Duties may 
encompass a wide range of activities relating to companion animals, 
livestock, poultry, horses, and other animals, including issuing 
certificates of veterinary inspection and health certificates for 
animals moving interstate or internationally; participating in animal 
disease surveillance and testing activities (including surveillance for 
emerging and foreign animal diseases); diagnosing diseases in animals; 
developing herd or flock health plans; and performing veterinary tasks 
during animal disease emergencies. Veterinarians who wish to perform 
work for APHIS must become nationally accredited by APHIS and then 
authorized by APHIS to perform accredited duties in one or more 
specific States or territories.
    In order to ensure that a veterinarian's accreditation is in good 
standing and that he or she has received the appropriate level of 
training commensurate with his or her duties, APHIS maintains 
information regarding the veterinarian in the Veterinary Services--
Records of Accredited Veterinarians system. APHIS maintains information 
about accredited veterinarians in the system in accordance with the 
APHIS Records Management Handbook. Data associated with accredited 
veterinarians (including those whose accreditation has lapsed or been 
revoked) will be destroyed when 45 years old. Data will also be 
destroyed when the accredited veterinarian is deceased. The system also 
contains information about veterinarians who are applicants for 
accredited status.
    The system contains records related to the accreditation status of 
veterinarians. The records include name; date of birth; business name; 
home and business mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email 
address; type of employment; State in which licensed or legally able to 
practice veterinary medicine; veterinary license number; veterinary 
medical college graduated and date of graduation; State(s) in which the 
veterinarian is authorized to perform accredited duties; species of 
animals the veterinarian treats; primary medical discipline; date of 
core orientation to accreditation and State where the veterinarian 
completed the orientation; the veterinarian's accreditation category; 
date of accreditation renewal; APHIS program certifications; APHIS-
approved supplemental training completed; whether business contact 
information may be provided to members of the public; and information 
pertaining to any alleged or adjudicated violations of accreditation 
standards, including disposition of the case. The system also assigns a 
national accreditation number (NAN) to each registered accredited 
veterinarian.
    We solicited comments on the notice for 30 days ending on June 22, 
2015. We received one comment by that date from an organization that 
represents veterinarians. The commenter objected to the use of dates of 
birth in the system. The commenter stated that that the use of the date 
of birth was unnecessary and could present a vulnerability to personal 
identity security.
    We disagree with the commenter that the use of the date of birth is 
unnecessary. To the contrary, the date of birth is a necessary 
identifier. In fact, there are three main reasons for the use of the 
date of birth to maintain records of accredited veterinarians.
    As previously indicated, the system includes records for each 
accredited veterinarian, several of these, when listed together, are 
considered unique identifiers, such as the full name (first and last 
names and middle initial), date of birth, school and year of 
graduation, and the system-generated NAN. In some instances accredited 
veterinarians with the same full name also have the same year and 
school of graduation. In addition, some accredited veterinarians do not 
remember their NAN, which consists of a six-digit number that uses 
leading 0's. Some relay their NAN incorrectly by superimposing numbers, 
not using the leading 0's, etc. In these cases, the date of birth is 
used as the most accurate identifier.
    The date of birth is also used when we find that an accredited 
veterinarian has a duplicate record in the database, which means there 
were two separate NANs created. The date of birth is the single unique 
identifier used to ensure that the two records do in fact belong to the 
same person, in which case, we combine the records under one NAN.
    Lastly, we conduct classroom training sessions at major and local 
veterinary meetings. Attendance at training sessions is required for an 
accredited veterinarian to renew his or her accreditation, and each 
accredited veterinarian must sign in using his or her first name, last 
name, and date of birth as identifiers. We require the date

[[Page 51178]]

of birth in this instance because it serves as a unique identifier if 
there should be an instance of two veterinarians signing in under the 
same first and last names, and as previously stated, we do not require 
the NAN because of problems arising when the veterinarian does not 
remember his or her NAN or records it incorrectly.
    As to the possible vulnerability to personal identity security, as 
described in the system of records notice referred to above, the system 
is physically secured in a locked facility with access only by 
authorized APHIS personnel. Data is stored and backed up using 
protocols established by the Fort Collins, CO, data center. Access to 
the records in the system is limited to those individuals who have a 
need to know the information for the performance of their official 
duties and who have appropriate clearances or permissions. Data 
available to individual users is role-based, which further limits 
access. Users must have USDA eAuthentication credentials and sign in 
using authorized logins and passwords. Employees who save spreadsheets 
containing data from the system are responsible for protecting the 
data. Files on employees' computers are also protected by encryption 
software and login and password requirements. On an annual basis, all 
users are required to undergo information security training and to sign 
rules of behavior. Failure to comply with rules of behavior can result 
in corrective actions, including written reprimands, temporary 
suspension from duty, reassignment, demotion, or termination, 
suspension of system privileges, and possible criminal prosecution.
    Based on our proposal to alter the system of records and the 
reasons given in this document, the system will remain as proposed.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of July 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18357 Filed 8-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 3, 2016 / Notices 51177 and other related aspects of agriculture. Veterinarians, which maintains accreditation and State where the The Committee Chairperson and Vice information pertaining to veterinarians veterinarian completed the orientation; Chairperson are elected by the who are or have been accredited, or who the veterinarian’s accreditation category; Committee from among its members. have applied for accreditation, under date of accreditation renewal; APHIS Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of the authority of section 10410 of the program certifications; APHIS-approved July 2016. Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. supplemental training completed; Kevin Shea, 8309). whether business contact information Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Accredited veterinarians are may be provided to members of the Inspection Service. veterinarians authorized by APHIS to public; and information pertaining to [FR Doc. 2016–18341 Filed 8–2–16; 8:45 am] perform certain services to control and any alleged or adjudicated violations of prevent the spread of animal diseases accreditation standards, including BILLING CODE 3410–34–P within the United States and disposition of the case. The system also internationally. Duties may encompass a assigns a national accreditation number DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE wide range of activities relating to (NAN) to each registered accredited companion animals, livestock, poultry, veterinarian. Animal and Plant Health Inspection horses, and other animals, including We solicited comments on the notice Service issuing certificates of veterinary for 30 days ending on June 22, 2015. We inspection and health certificates for received one comment by that date from [Docket No. APHIS–2012–0103] animals moving interstate or an organization that represents Privacy Act Systems of Records; internationally; participating in animal veterinarians. The commenter objected Veterinary Services—Records of disease surveillance and testing to the use of dates of birth in the system. Accredited Veterinarians activities (including surveillance for The commenter stated that that the use emerging and foreign animal diseases); of the date of birth was unnecessary and AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health diagnosing diseases in animals; could present a vulnerability to personal Inspection Service, USDA. developing herd or flock health plans; identity security. ACTION: Notice. and performing veterinary tasks during We disagree with the commenter that animal disease emergencies. the use of the date of birth is SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Veterinarians who wish to perform work unnecessary. To the contrary, the date of Inspection Service proposed to alter an for APHIS must become nationally birth is a necessary identifier. In fact, existing system of records in its accredited by APHIS and then there are three main reasons for the use inventory of record systems subject to authorized by APHIS to perform of the date of birth to maintain records the provisions of the Privacy Act of accredited duties in one or more of accredited veterinarians. 1974, as amended. The system of specific States or territories. As previously indicated, the system records is Veterinary Services—Records In order to ensure that a veterinarian’s includes records for each accredited of Accredited Veterinarians, USDA– accreditation is in good standing and veterinarian, several of these, when APHIS–2. The system, as proposed, has that he or she has received the listed together, are considered unique been adopted; however, we received one appropriate level of training identifiers, such as the full name (first comment, which is addressed in this commensurate with his or her duties, and last names and middle initial), date notice. APHIS maintains information regarding of birth, school and year of graduation, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. the veterinarian in the Veterinary and the system-generated NAN. In some Todd Behre, Program Coordinator, Services—Records of Accredited instances accredited veterinarians with National Veterinary Accreditation Veterinarians system. APHIS maintains the same full name also have the same Program, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road information about accredited year and school of graduation. In Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737; (518) veterinarians in the system in addition, some accredited veterinarians 281–2157. accordance with the APHIS Records do not remember their NAN, which SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Management Handbook. Data associated consists of a six-digit number that uses Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 with accredited veterinarians (including leading 0’s. Some relay their NAN U.S.C. 552a), requires agencies to those whose accreditation has lapsed or incorrectly by superimposing numbers, publish in the Federal Register notice of been revoked) will be destroyed when not using the leading 0’s, etc. In these new or revised systems of records. A 45 years old. Data will also be destroyed cases, the date of birth is used as the system of records is a group of any when the accredited veterinarian is most accurate identifier. deceased. The system also contains The date of birth is also used when records under the control of any agency, information about veterinarians who are we find that an accredited veterinarian from which information is retrieved by applicants for accredited status. has a duplicate record in the database, the name of an individual or by some The system contains records related to which means there were two separate identifying number, symbol, or other the accreditation status of veterinarians. NANs created. The date of birth is the identifying particular assigned to an The records include name; date of birth; single unique identifier used to ensure individual. On May 12, 2015, the Animal and business name; home and business that the two records do in fact belong to Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) mailing addresses, telephone numbers, the same person, in which case, we of the United States Department of and email address; type of employment; combine the records under one NAN. State in which licensed or legally able Lastly, we conduct classroom training asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Agriculture (USDA) published in the to practice veterinary medicine; sessions at major and local veterinary Federal Register (80 FR 27142–27145, veterinary license number; veterinary meetings. Attendance at training APHIS–2012–0103) 1 a proposal to alter medical college graduated and date of sessions is required for an accredited a system of records, entitled Veterinary graduation; State(s) in which the veterinarian to renew his or her Services—Records of Accredited veterinarian is authorized to perform accreditation, and each accredited 1 To view the notice and the comment we accredited duties; species of animals the veterinarian must sign in using his or received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/ veterinarian treats; primary medical her first name, last name, and date of #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0103. discipline; date of core orientation to birth as identifiers. We require the date VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Aug 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

51178 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 3, 2016 / Notices of birth in this instance because it serves Notice and request for ACTION: of the import licensing system as a unique identifier if there should be comments. applicable to most dairy products an instance of two veterinarians signing subject to tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). The in under the same first and last names, SUMMARY: In accordance with the TRQs were established in the and as previously stated, we do not Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the require the NAN because of problems announces the Department’s intention United States (HTS) as a result of the arising when the veterinarian does not to request an extension for a currently entry into force of certain provisions in remember his or her NAN or records it approved information collection in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act incorrectly. support of the Dairy Tariff-rate Import (Pub. L. 103–465) that converted Quota Licensing program. existing absolute quotas to TRQs. As to the possible vulnerability to DATES: Comments should be submitted Imports of nearly all cheeses made from personal identity security, as described no later than October 3, 2016 to be cow’s milk (except soft-ripened cheese in the system of records notice referred assured of consideration. such as Brie) and certain non-cheese to above, the system is physically secured in a locked facility with access ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit dairy products (including butter and only by authorized APHIS personnel. comments as requested in this dried milk) are subject to TRQs and the Data is stored and backed up using document. In your comment, include Regulation. Licenses are issued each protocols established by the Fort the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) quota year to eligible applicants and are Collins, CO, data center. Access to the and volume, date, and page number of valid for 12 months (January 1 through records in the system is limited to those this issue of the Federal Register. You December 31). Only licensees may enter individuals who have a need to know may submit comments by any of the specified quantities of the subject dairy the information for the performance of following methods: articles at the applicable in-quota tariff- their official duties and who have • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to rates. Importers who do not hold appropriate clearances or permissions. http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the licenses may enter dairy articles only at Data available to individual users is online instructions for submitting the over-quota tariff-rates. role-based, which further limits access. comments. Each quota year, all applicants must Users must have USDA eAuthentication • Mail, hand delivery, or courier: submit form FAS 923 (rev. 7–96). This credentials and sign in using authorized Bettyann Gonzales, Dairy Import form, available online, requires logins and passwords. Employees who Specialist, Office of Trade Programs, applicants to: (1) Certify they are an save spreadsheets containing data from Foreign Agricultural Service, 1400 importer, manufacturer or exporter of the system are responsible for protecting Independence Avenue SW., certain dairy products; (2) certify they the data. Files on employees’ computers Washington, DC 20250–1021, STOP meet the eligibility requirements of are also protected by encryption 1021; or by email at Bettyann.Gonzales@ § 6.23 of the Regulation; and (3) submit software and login and password fas.usda.gov; or by telephone at (202) documentation required by § 6.23 and requirements. On an annual basis, all 720–1344. § 6.24 as proof of eligibility for import users are required to undergo Comments will be available for licenses. Applicants for non-historical information security training and to sign inspection online at http:// licenses must also submit form FAS rules of behavior. Failure to comply www.regulations.gov and at the mail 923–A (rev. 7–96) (cheese) and/or FAS with rules of behavior can result in address listed above between 8:00 a.m. 923–B (rev. 7–96) (non-cheese dairy corrective actions, including written and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, products). This form requires applicants reprimands, temporary suspension from except holidays. to request licenses in descending order duty, reassignment, demotion, or Persons with disabilities who require of preference for specific products and termination, suspension of system an alternative means for communication countries listed on the form. privileges, and possible criminal of information (Braille, large print, After licenses are issued, § 6.26 prosecution. audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s requires licensees to surrender by Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice October 1 on form FAS 924–A, License Based on our proposal to alter the and TDD). Surrender Form, any license amount system of records and the reasons given FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: that a licensee does not intend to enter in this document, the system will Bettyann Gonzales, Dairy Import that year. These amounts are remain as proposed. Specialist, STOP 1021, U.S. Department reallocated, to the extent practicable, to Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural existing licensees for the remainder of July 2016. Service, 1400 Independence Avenue that year based on requests submitted Kevin Shea, SW., Washington, DC 20250–1021; or by on form FAS 924–B, Application for Administrator, Animal and Plant Health telephone (202) 720–1344; or by email: Additional License Amounts. Forms Inspection Service. Bettyann.Gonzales@fas.usda.gov. 924A and 924B require the licensee to [FR Doc. 2016–18357 Filed 8–2–16; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: complete a table listing the surrendered Title: Dairy Tariff-rate Import Quota amount by license number, or listing the BILLING CODE 3410–34–P Licensing Program. additional amounts requested by dairy OMB Number: 0551–0001. article and supplying country in DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, descending order of preference. 2017. The estimated total annual burden of asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Foreign Agricultural Service Type of Request: Extension and 436 hours in the Office of Management revision of a currently approved and Budget (OMB) inventory for the Notice of a Request for Extension of a information collection. currently approved information Currently Approved Information Abstract: The currently approved collection will remain at 436 hours. The Collection information collection supports the public reporting burden for this Dairy Tariff-rate Import Quota collection of currently approved forms AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, regulation (the Regulation) (7 CFR 6.20– FAS 923, FAS 923–A and 923–B (one USDA. 6.36) which governs the administration form) (rev. 7–96) is estimated to average VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Aug 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1


Document Created: 2016-08-02 23:44:13
Document Modified: 2016-08-02 23:44:13
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactDr. Todd Behre, Program Coordinator, National Veterinary Accreditation Program, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737; (518) 281-2157.
FR Citation81 FR 51177 
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