Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[Federal Register: September 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 188)]

[Notices]

[Page 56886]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29se05-26]

Notices Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 23, 2005.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: National Animal Identification System.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0259.

Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products and conducts various other activities to protect the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry. The advent of increased animal disease outbreaks around the globe over the past decade, especially the recent BSE-positive cow found in Washington State, has intensified the public interest in developing a national animal identification program for the purpose of protecting animal health. Fundamental to controlling any disease threat, foreign or domestic, to the Nation's animal resources is to have a system that can identify individual animals or groups, the premises where they are located, and the date of entry to each premises. A national animal identification system is being implemented by APHIS at present on a voluntary basis. It is intended to identify all livestock, as well as record their movements over the course of their lifespan.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS goal is to create an effective, uniform, consistent, and efficient system that when fully implemented, will allow traces to be completed within 48 hours of detection of a disease, ensuring rapid containment of the disease. Successful implementation of the animal identification and tracking systems will depend on the effective use of three primary information collection activities: premises and nonproducer participants identification records, individual animal identification transaction records, and group/lot transaction records that will be created and maintained through various industry and Government collaborative efforts.

Failing to collect the needed information would make it impossible to conduct a timely traceback of animals potentially exposed to a disease of concern.

Description of Respondents: State, local or tribal government; Farms; Business or other for-profit

Number of Respondents: 250,000.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 255,000.

Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 05-19428 Filed 9-28-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P