82 FR 43514 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 179 (September 18, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43514-43515]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19788]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 13, 2017.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) 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) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by October 
18, 2017 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control

[[Page 43515]]

number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Blood and Tissue Collection, and Recordkeeping, at 
Slaughtering, Rendering, and Approved Livestock Marketing 
Establishments and Facilities.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0212.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 
2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal 
health. The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401-18 
of Public Law 107-171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002. As part of its mission to monitor and test for 
livestock diseases, the Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), maintains 
with approved slaughtering, rendering, and livestock marketing 
establishments and facilities agreements and procedures for animal 
disease surveillance and reporting, maintaining livestock movement 
records, and collecting blood and tissue samples.
    These agreements and procedures include information collection 
activities such as Approved Livestock Facility Agreements, Requests for 
Appeal of Denial of Agreement, Withdrawal of Livestock Facility 
Agreements, Requests for Appeal of Withdrawal of Agreements, Listing 
Agreements for Slaughter or Rendering Establishments, Slaughter or 
Rendering Facility Inspection Reports, Requests for Appeal of Denial of 
Listings, Requests for Appeal of Withdrawal of Listing, Schedules of 
Sales Days, Diseased Animal Notifications, Quarantine Signs, and 
maintaining animal movement records.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collection of this information 
identifies and prevents the interstate movement of unhealthy livestock 
animals with diseases within the United States. The information 
collected is used to: (1) Establish Livestock Facility Agreements and 
Listing Agreements between APHIS and owners and operators of 
slaughtering and rendering establishments and livestock marketing 
facilities, (2) rapidly confirm livestock disease occurrences through 
reporting and sampling, (3) trace the sources of diseases, as well as 
the movement of other potentially infected animals, and (4) provide 
epidemiological data for new or updated risk analyses in support of 
disease control programs, and, as required, opening international 
markets for animal products. Without the agreements and sampling/
reporting procedures, the risk of contagious disease spread becomes 
very high with serious consequences for U.S. meat industries and export 
markets.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other-for profit; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 2,864.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,471.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-19788 Filed 9-15-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P