Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: December 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 235)]

[Notices]

[Page 68667]

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

[DOCID:fr08de99-36]

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

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 99-088-1]

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection in support of the regulations, which were issued under the Animal Welfare Act, governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research institutions, exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 7, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to comment regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other aspect of this collection of information. Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 99-088-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 99-088-1.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our comment reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research institutions, exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers, contact Dr. Jerry DePoyster, Animal Care Staff Officer, AC, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234; (301)734-7833. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Animal Welfare.

OMB Number: 0579-0093.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: Regulations have been promulgated under the Animal Welfare Act (the Act)(7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) to ensure that animals intended for use in research facilities, for exhibition purposes, or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment. The regulations also ensure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce.

The regulations at 9 CFR part 3, subparts A and D, which concern dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates, require regulated facilities to keep certain records and provide certain information. We review this information to evaluate program compliance. These records provide a workable enforcement system to carry out the requirements of the Act, and the intent of Congress, on a practical daily basis without resorting to more detailed and stringent regulations.

The reporting and recordkeeping requirements of 9 CFR, part 3, subparts A and D, do not mandate the use of any official government form.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), we are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the continued use of this information collection activity.

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 proposed 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 proposed 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 .606 hours per response.

Respondents: Dealers, exhibitors, carriers, handlers, and research facilities.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 8,200.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 8.849.

Estimated annual number of responses: 72,565.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 43,975. (Due to rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of December 1999. Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 99-31776Filed12-7-99; 8:45 am]

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