SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0409.

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

Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases and pests. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the United States' ability to compete in international animal and animal product trade.

In connection with this mission, the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories safeguard U.S. animal health and contribute to public health by ensuring that timely and accurate laboratory support is provided by their nationwide animal health diagnostic system.

The USDA complies with the standard set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance. This compliance is critical for maintaining the United States' BSE-risk status with the WOAH. In 2013, the WOAH granted the United States negligible risk status for BSE, improving our standing with trading partners and reducing our surveillance requirements. APHIS reduced the target for BSE samples from 40,000 to 25,000 samples annually in 2016, and this remains the current target. Our BSE surveillance program requires several information collection activities, including completing VS Form 17-146, the BSE Surveillance Submission Form; VS Form 17-146A, the BSE Surveillance Submission Form Continuation Sheet; and VS Form 17-131, the BSE Surveillance Data Collection Form.

We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. APHIS has amended this information collection by decreasing the number of Responses and Total Burden Hours reported.

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 reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.12 hours per response.

Respondents: Accredited veterinarians, animal scientists, and slaughter plant personnel.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 204.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 94.

Estimated annual number of responses: 19,200.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,295 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.