83_FR_2973 83 FR 2959 - Third-Party Inspection Programs Under the Animal Welfare Act; Public Meetings

83 FR 2959 - Third-Party Inspection Programs Under the Animal Welfare Act; Public Meetings

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 14 (January 22, 2018)

Page Range2959-2960
FR Document2018-00966

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will host a series of public meetings to solicit data and information from the public to aid in the development of criteria for recognizing the use of third-party inspection and certification programs as a positive factor when determining APHIS inspection frequencies at facilities licensed or registered under the Animal Welfare Act.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2959-2960]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00966]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0102]


Third-Party Inspection Programs Under the Animal Welfare Act; 
Public Meetings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) will host a series of public meetings to 
solicit data and information from the public to aid in the development 
of criteria for recognizing the use of third-party inspection and 
certification programs as a positive factor when determining APHIS 
inspection frequencies at facilities licensed or registered under the 
Animal Welfare Act.

DATES: The meetings will be held in Santa Clara, CA, on January 18, 
2018; Riverdale, MD, on February 8, 2018; Kansas City, MO, on February 
22, 2018, and Tampa, FL, on March 8, 2018. The public meetings will be 
held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., local time, except for the meeting in 
Maryland, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., local time. A 
virtual listening session will be held on March 14, 2018, from 1 p.m. 
to 5 p.m. EST. We will accept written statements regarding the use of 
third-party inspection and certification programs until March 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
     January 18: Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College 
Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95054;
     February 8: USDA Center at Riverside, 4700 River Road, 
Riverdale, MD 20737;
     February 22: USDA, Beacon Building, 6501 Beacon Road, 
Kansas City, MO 64133; and
     March 8: Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, 4200 
Jim Walter Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607.
    You may also submit written statements using one of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0102.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0102, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Tuck, Management Analyst, 
Animal Care, APHIS, USDA 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
(301) 851-3747; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) is announcing a series of meetings to solicit data and 
information from the public to aid in the development of criteria for 
recognizing the use of third-party inspection and certification 
programs as a positive factor when determining APHIS inspection 
frequencies at facilities licensed or registered under the Animal 
Welfare Act (AWA). APHIS already recognizes inspections performed by 
other government agencies with animal welfare oversight and 
accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums as a positive 
factor when determining the frequency of Federal inspections through 
the use of a risk-based inspection system, and APHIS is seeking public 
comment on expanding this consideration to include other types of 
third-party inspections and certifications.
    The risk-based inspection system, initiated in 1998, uses several 
objective criteria, including but not limited to past compliance 
history, to determine the minimum inspection frequency at each licensed 
and registered facility. With this system, APHIS has been able to 
provide more in-depth inspections and improve its interactions with 
licensees and registrants--an approach that APHIS firmly believes makes 
better use of its inspection resources.
    The public may submit their comments in response to this notice in 
writing and/or at in-person and virtual listening sessions. The 
meetings will be held in various locations across the country and will 
include an internet-based virtual meeting to facilitate attendance. 
Participants will have the opportunity to offer written and oral 
comments.
    Specifically, APHIS is seeking data and information regarding the 
following topics and questions:
    1. APHIS is considering recognizing the use of qualified, third-
party programs when determining APHIS inspection frequencies at 
regulated facilities. Would a potential reduction in the frequency of 
APHIS inspections be a sufficient incentive for regulated facilities to 
use third-party programs to support compliance under the AWA? Are there 
other incentives that could be offered to attract participation of 
regulated entities in the program? Please explain.
    2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of voluntary, third-
party programs to support compliance under the AWA? What potential 
benefits and costs might accrue to regulated facilities that elect to 
use a third-party program? What are the risks associated with using a 
third-party program?
    3. Are third-party programs likely to be effective in practice? Is 
there potential for a well-functioning market for third-party programs 
to develop? Please explain. What existing third-party programs are 
already used by regulated facilities to help support their AWA 
compliance?
    4. When assessing whether to recognize a third-party program, what

[[Page 2960]]

criteria should APHIS consider to assure its independence, determine 
whether the scope of its services support and align with the AWA, and 
mitigate potential conflicts of interest and other potential risks? In 
addition, what information should a regulated facility provide so APHIS 
may verify its use of a third-party program?
    5. Aside from recognizing the use of qualified, third-party 
programs, what are other methods APHIS could use to encourage 
facilities to achieve and sustain compliance with the AWA? Also, where 
do you see the greatest opportunity for APHIS to improve the 
consistency and effectiveness of its AWA program?
    Registration instructions for the listening session are available 
by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
or by following the instructions available via the APHIS website at: 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/sa_animal_welfare_news/third-party-inspection-certification-programs.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2018.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-00966 Filed 1-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 14 / Monday, January 22, 2018 / Notices 2959 OMB Control Number: 0572–0032. Inspection Service (APHIS) will host a Welfare Act (AWA). APHIS already Summary of Collection: The Rural series of public meetings to solicit data recognizes inspections performed by Utilities Service (RUS) was established and information from the public to aid other government agencies with animal in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance in the development of criteria for welfare oversight and accreditation by Reform and Department of Agriculture recognizing the use of third-party the Association of Zoos & Aquariums as Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. inspection and certification programs as a positive factor when determining the 103–354, 108 stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 a positive factor when determining frequency of Federal inspections et seq.) as successor to the Rural APHIS inspection frequencies at through the use of a risk-based Electrification Administration (REA) facilities licensed or registered under inspection system, and APHIS is with respect to certain programs, the Animal Welfare Act. seeking public comment on expanding including the electric loan and loan DATES: The meetings will be held in this consideration to include other types guarantee program authorized under the Santa Clara, CA, on January 18, 2018; of third-party inspections and Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of Riverdale, MD, on February 8, 2018; certifications. 1936. The RE Act authorizes and Kansas City, MO, on February 22, 2018, The risk-based inspection system, empowers the Administrator of RUS to and Tampa, FL, on March 8, 2018. The initiated in 1998, uses several objective make and guarantee loans to furnish and public meetings will be held from 9 a.m. criteria, including but not limited to improve electric service in rural areas. to 1 p.m., local time, except for the past compliance history, to determine These loans are amortized over a period meeting in Maryland, which will be the minimum inspection frequency at of up to 35 years and secured by the held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., local time. each licensed and registered facility. borrower’s electric assets and/or A virtual listening session will be held With this system, APHIS has been able revenue. RUS will collect information on March 14, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 5 to provide more in-depth inspections including studies and reports to support p.m. EST. We will accept written and improve its interactions with borrower loan applications. statements regarding the use of third- licensees and registrants—an approach Need and Use of the Information: party inspection and certification that APHIS firmly believes makes better RUS will collect information to programs until March 21, 2018. use of its inspection resources. determine the eligibility of applicants The public may submit their ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be comments in response to this notice in for loans and loan guarantees under the held at the following locations: RE Act; monitor the compliance of writing and/or at in-person and virtual • January 18: Santa Clara Marriott, listening sessions. The meetings will be borrowers with debt covenants and 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa regulatory requirements in order to held in various locations across the Clara, CA 95054; country and will include an internet- protect loan security; ensure that • February 8: USDA Center at borrowers use loan funds for purposes based virtual meeting to facilitate Riverside, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, consistent with the statutory goals of the attendance. Participants will have the MD 20737; RE Act; and obtain information on the • February 22: USDA, Beacon opportunity to offer written and oral progress of rural electrification and Building, 6501 Beacon Road, Kansas comments. evaluate the success of RUS program Specifically, APHIS is seeking data City, MO 64133; and activities. Without the information RUS • March 8: Renaissance Tampa Hotel and information regarding the following would be unable to accomplish International Plaza, 4200 Jim Walter topics and questions: statutory goals. 1. APHIS is considering recognizing Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607. Description of Respondents: Not-for- You may also submit written the use of qualified, third-party profit institutions; Business or other for- statements using one of the following programs when determining APHIS profit. methods: inspection frequencies at regulated Number of Respondents: 625. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to facilities. Would a potential reduction Frequency of Responses: Reporting: http://www.regulations.gov/#! in the frequency of APHIS inspections On occasion; Annually. docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0102. be a sufficient incentive for regulated Total Burden Hours: 52,130. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: facilities to use third-party programs to Send your comment to Docket No. support compliance under the AWA? Ruth Brown, APHIS–2017–0102, Regulatory Analysis Are there other incentives that could be Departmental Information Collection offered to attract participation of Clearance Officer. and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, regulated entities in the program? Please [FR Doc. 2018–01004 Filed 1–19–18; 8:45 am] Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. explain. BILLING CODE 3410–15–P 2. What are the advantages and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. disadvantages of voluntary, third-party Mike Tuck, Management Analyst, programs to support compliance under DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal Care, APHIS, USDA 4700 River the AWA? What potential benefits and Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737; Animal and Plant Health Inspection costs might accrue to regulated facilities (301) 851–3747; James.M.Tuck@ Service that elect to use a third-party program? aphis.usda.gov. What are the risks associated with using [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0102] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The a third-party program? Animal and Plant Health Inspection 3. Are third-party programs likely to Third-Party Inspection Programs Service (APHIS) is announcing a series be effective in practice? Is there Under the Animal Welfare Act; Public of meetings to solicit data and potential for a well-functioning market ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Meetings information from the public to aid in the for third-party programs to develop? AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health development of criteria for recognizing Please explain. What existing third- Inspection Service, USDA. the use of third-party inspection and party programs are already used by ACTION: Notice of public meetings. certification programs as a positive regulated facilities to help support their factor when determining APHIS AWA compliance? SUMMARY: We are advising the public inspection frequencies at facilities 4. When assessing whether to that the Animal and Plant Health licensed or registered under the Animal recognize a third-party program, what VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:00 Jan 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1

2960 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 14 / Monday, January 22, 2018 / Notices criteria should APHIS consider to assure DATES: Comments on this notice must be commercial producer as required in 7 its independence, determine whether received by March 23, 2018 to be U.S.C. 7998 as amended and estimates the scope of its services support and assured of consideration. of enterprise production costs as align with the AWA, and mitigate ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, required in 7 U.S.C. 1441(a) as potential conflicts of interest and other identified by docket number 0535–0218, amended. Data from ARMS are also potential risks? In addition, what by any of the following methods: used as weights in the development of information should a regulated facility • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. the Prices Paid Index, a component of provide so APHIS may verify its use of Include docket number above in the the Parity Index referred to in the a third-party program? subject line of the message. Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as 5. Aside from recognizing the use of • eFax: (855) 838–6382. amended. These indexes are used to qualified, third-party programs, what • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– calculate the annual federal grazing fee are other methods APHIS could use to ROM submissions to: David Hancock, rates as described in the Public encourage facilities to achieve and NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 sustain compliance with the AWA? Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 and Executive Order 12548 and as Also, where do you see the greatest South Building, 1400 Independence promulgated in regulations found at 36 opportunity for APHIS to improve the Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– CFR 222.51, as amended. consistency and effectiveness of its 2024. In addition, ARMS is used to produce AWA program? • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand estimates of sector-wide production deliver to: David Hancock, NASS expenditures and other components of Registration instructions for the Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of listening session are available by income that are used in constructing the Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, estimates of income and value-added contacting the person listed under FOR 1400 Independence Avenue SW, FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by which are transmitted to the U.S. Washington, DC 20250–2024. Department of Commerce, Bureau of following the instructions available via FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Economic Analysis, by the USDA the APHIS website at: https:// Kevin L. Barnes, Associate Economic Research Service (ERS) for www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ Administrator, National Agricultural use in constructing economy-wide animalwelfare/sa_animal_welfare_ Statistics Service, U.S. Department of estimates of Gross Domestic Product. news/third-party-inspection- Agriculture, (202) 720–4333. Copies of This transmittal of data, prepared using certification-programs. this information collection and related the ARMS, is undertaken to satisfy a If you require special instructions can be obtained without 1956 agreement between the Office of accommodations, such as a sign charge from David Hancock, NASS— Management and Budget and the language interpreter, please contact the OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690– Departments of Agriculture and person listed under FOR FURTHER 2388 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Commerce that a single set of estimates INFORMATION CONTACT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: be published on farm income. Done in Washington, DC, on January 16, Title: Agricultural Resources Chemical Use Surveys: Congress has 2018. Management Survey and Chemical Use mandated that NASS and ERS build Kevin Shea, Surveys. nationally coordinated databases on Administrator, Animal and Plant Health OMB Control Number: 0535–0218. agricultural chemical use and related Inspection Service. Expiration Date of Current Approval: farm practices; these databases are the [FR Doc. 2018–00966 Filed 1–19–18; 8:45 am] July 31, 2018. primary vehicles used to produce BILLING CODE 3410–34–P Type of Request: Intent to revise and specified environmental and economic extend a currently approved estimates. The surveys will help provide information collection. the knowledge and technical means for DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Abstract: The Agricultural Resource producers and researchers to address Management Survey(s) (ARMS) are the on-farm environmental concerns in a National Agricultural Statistics Service primary source of information for the manner that maintains agricultural U.S. Department of Agriculture on a productivity. Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To broad range of issues related to: In this approval request, there is only Revise and Extend a Currently Production practices, costs and returns, one significant program change. The Approved Information Collection pest management, chemical usage, and annual Microbial Food Safety contractor expenses. Data is collected on Practices—Packer Survey will be AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics both a whole farm level and on selected Service, USDA. discontinued. commodities. The commodities that are scheduled ACTION: Notice and request for ARMS is the only source of to be included in this approval are in comments. information available for objective the following table. evaluation of many critical issues SUMMARY: In accordance with the related to agriculture and the rural Target Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this economy, such as: Whole farm finance Year Survey commodity notice announces the intention of the data, including data sufficient to National Agricultural Statistics Service construct estimates of income for farms 2018 ..... ARMS Phase II Soybeans. (NASS) to request revision and by: Type of operation, loan (PPCR). extension of a currently approved commodities, income for operator ARMS Phase II Corn and Pea- ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES information collection, the Agricultural (PPR). nuts. households, credit, structure, and Chemical Use .. Vegetables. Resources Management Survey and organization; marketing information; ARMS Phase III Soybeans and Chemical Use Surveys. A revision to and other economic data on input usage, Cow-Calf. burden hours will be needed due to production practices, and crop 2019 ..... ARMS Phase II Cotton, Barley changes in the size of the target substitution possibilities. (PPCR). and Sorghum. population, sampling design, and/or Data from ARMS are used to produce ARMS Phase II Wheat. questionnaire length. estimates of net farm income by type of (PPR). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:00 Jan 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1


Document Created: 2018-01-23 21:35:54
Document Modified: 2018-01-23 21:35:54
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 of public meetings.
DatesThe meetings will be held in Santa Clara, CA, on January 18, 2018; Riverdale, MD, on February 8, 2018; Kansas City, MO, on February 22, 2018, and Tampa, FL, on March 8, 2018. The public meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., local time, except for the meeting in Maryland, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., local time. A virtual listening session will be held on March 14, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST. We will accept written statements regarding the use of third-party inspection and certification programs until March 21, 2018.
ContactMr. Mike Tuck, Management Analyst, Animal Care, APHIS, USDA 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3747; [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 2959 
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