SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System; Poultry 2027 Upland Gamebird and Duck Study.

OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.

Type of Request: New information collection.

Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to protect the health of the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations in the United States by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock, and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) which collects on a national basis statistically valid and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture disease risk factors.

NAHMS' studies have evolved into a collaborative industry and government initiative to help determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling diseases of poultry. NAHMS is the only agency responsible for collecting data on poultry health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential.

NAHMS plans to conduct the Poultry 2027 Upland Gamebird and Duck Study as part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. poultry population. This study will support the following objectives: (1) Establish baselines for health and management practices on U.S. upland gamebird operations to support producers and partners in advancing animal health, productivity, and marketability; (2) describe upland gamebird producer preparedness for animal health emergencies, including highly pathogenic avian influenza, to assist producers and partners in disease prevention and control; and (3) describe management protocols and the structure of the commercial duck industry, including movement and biosecurity practices.

The study will consist of two parts. The first part is in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). A survey will be administered to upland gamebird operations in all States. The survey will be administered with three options for completion: Mail, web, or telephone call by NASS enumerators. The second part consists of a duck company-level questionnaire with options to complete the survey electronically or on paper.

The information collected through the study will be analyzed and organized into descriptive reports. Reports will be disseminated by NAHMS to producers, stakeholders, academia, veterinarians, and other interested parties. The collected data will be used to: (1) Establish national and regional production measures for producer, veterinary, and industry references; (2) predict or detect national and regional trends in disease emergence and movement; (3) address emerging issues; (4) aid in disease preparedness; (5) increase understanding about biosecurity practices of upland gamebird producers and biosecurity protocols of duck companies; (6) determine what sort of informational resources may be most useful for upland gamebird producers and how to best dispense new information to this demographic; (7) provide estimates of both outcome (disease or other parameters) and exposure (risks and components) variables that can be used in analytic studies in the future by NAHMS; (8) provide input into the design of surveillance systems for specific diseases; and (9) provide parameters for animal disease spread models. ( printed page 50513)

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities 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 0.195 hours per response.

Respondents:

• Upland gamebird operations (defined as chukars, pheasants, quail, Hungarian partridges, and guineas) with inventories of at least 500 head.
• Representatives of large duck companies.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,812.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.

Estimated annual number of responses: 9,320.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,816 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.

91 FR 50512