SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Conditions for Payment of Avian Influenza Indemnity Claims.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0440.

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

Abstract: The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease.

U.S. animal health policy calls for elimination of the avian influenza virus (both highly pathogenic and low pathogenicity strains) when found through depopulation ( i.e., euthanasia and disposal) of affected poultry. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with State and local animal health officials to euthanize poultry, clean and disinfect premises and equipment, and test for elimination of the virus to ensure that farms can be safely restocked. To accomplish this, APHIS Veterinary Services assists State and local animal health officials and poultry producers with creating and applying biosecurity and response plans, developing and enforcing flock plans and compliance agreements, preparing and processing appraisal and indemnity claims and worksheets, developing restocking and testing agreements, and submitting reports.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities, as described, for 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 2.26 hours per response.

Respondents: State and local animal health officials and poultry producers.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 18,999.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 22,038.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 49,814 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.

90 FR 43166