82 FR 34472 - Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Emergency Epidemiologic Investigations

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 141 (July 25, 2017)

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 for emergency epidemiologic investigations, an information collection to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34472-34473]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15575]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0058]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Emergency 
Epidemiologic Investigations

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 for emergency 
epidemiologic investigations, an information collection to support the 
National Animal Health Monitoring System.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0058.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0058, 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-2017-
0058 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: For information on emergency 
epidemiologic investigations contact Mr. Bill Kelley, Supervisory 
Management and Program Analyst, Center for Epidemiology and Animal 
Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, MS 2E6, Fort 
Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7270. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, 
APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Animal Health Monitoring 
System; Emergency Epidemiologic Investigations.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0376.
    Type of Request: Extension of 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 is authorized, among other things, to 
protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations

[[Page 34473]]

by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious 
diseases and pests of livestock and by 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.
    APHIS NAHMS officials are often asked by State and local animal 
health officials to carry out epidemiological investigations as 
diseases impact animal health populations. Emergency epidemiological 
investigations will be used to collect information on:
     Outbreaks of animal diseases with unknown etiology and 
transmission, that are highly contagious, and that have high case 
fatality.
     Outbreaks of known animal diseases that are highly 
contagious, virulent, and have unknown source of infection or mode of 
transmission.
     Outbreaks of emerging, zoonotic, or foreign animal 
diseases within the United States.
     Outbreaks in which a delay in data collection could result 
in the loss of epidemiologic information essential to assist laboratory 
investigations and/or disease control efforts.
    These investigations will normally consist of an on-farm 
questionnaire administered by APHIS-designated data collectors. The 
information collected through emergency epidemiologic investigations 
will be analyzed and used to:
     Identify the scope of the problem.
     Define and describe the affected population and 
susceptible population.
     Predict or detect trends in disease emergence and 
movement.
     Understand the risk factors for disease.
     Estimate the cost of disease control and develop 
intervention options.
     Make recommendations for disease control.
     Provide parameters for animal disease spread models.
     Provide lessons learned and guidance on the best ways to 
avoid future outbreaks based on thorough analysis of data from current 
outbreak(s).
     Identify areas for further research, e.g. mechanisms of 
disease transfer, vaccine technology, and diagnostic testing needs.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity for an additional 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, such as 
electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.72 hours per response.
    Respondents: Livestock owners, individuals, and State and local 
animal health officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 8,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 8,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 5,798 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 19th day of July 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15575 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P