SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: National Veterinary Services Laboratories Request Forms.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0430.

Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) provides the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to prohibit or restrict, through orders and regulations, the importation or entry of any animal, article, or means of conveyance if the U.S. Department of Agriculture determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction or spread of any pest or disease of livestock within the United States. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population.

As an element of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) disease prevention mission, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) safeguard U.S. animal health by ensuring that timely and accurate laboratory support is provided through a nationwide animal health diagnostic system. NVSL's work necessitates the use of several information collection activities including requests for reagents or supplies, NVSL contact information updates, NVSL applications for laboratory training, and the ability to order NVSL laboratory kits and instruments.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.

Respondents: Domestic and foreign diagnostic laboratories (Federal, State, university, or private), researchers (academia, private, government), and private veterinary practitioners.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 970.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.

Estimated annual number of responses: 4,079.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,013 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.

89 FR 57843