Notices. New information collection; comment request

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BILLING CODE 3410-34-M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 05-018-1] Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: New 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 approval of a new information collection activity, the National Chronic Wasting Disease 2005 Study.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • EDOCKET: Go to *http://www.epa.gov/feddocket* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on the “View Open APHIS Dockets” link to locate this document. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:

Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05-018-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05-018-1. *Reading Room:* You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 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. *Other Information:* You may view APHIS documents published in the **Federal Register** and related information on the Internet at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Chronic Wasting Disease 2005 Study, contact Mr. Chris Quatrano, Management and Program Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526;

(970)494-7207. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at

(301)734-7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* National Animal Health Monitoring System; Chronic Wasting Disease 2005 Study. *OMB Number:* 0579-XXXX. *Type of Request:* Approval of a new information collection. *Abstract:* The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for protecting the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry populations 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. In connection with this mission, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (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 and poultry disease risk factors. NAHMS' national studies have evolved into a collaborative industry and government initiative to help determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling diseases of livestock. APHIS is the only agency responsible for collecting national data on livestock health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential. APHIS plans to initiate a national study titled the Chronic Wasting Disease

(CWD)2005 Study. The study will collect information from 5,600 cervid producers nationwide. The purpose of the CWD 2005 Study is to support the farmed/captive cervid industry by collecting baseline data to:

(1)Describe general health and management practices;

(2)describe the farmed/captive cervid industry; and

(3)identify the most efficient ways to contact producers for outreach purposes. The potential benefit to the industry from the CWD 2005 Study is increased information on the impact of general health and management practices. CWD is a fatal, neurological disease that occurs in deer and elk populations. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy

(BSE)in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goats, and both variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease

(vCJD)and Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease in humans. Although all TSEs are similar, CWD only affects deer and elk. A herd usually presents evidence of CWD infection within 5 years of exposure through the presence of sick or dead animals. APHIS is establishing a voluntary program for farmed/captive cervid herds that will track how long a particular herd has been closed and monitored for CWD. The CWD 2005 Study will include farms that choose to enroll in the CWD certification program. In conjunction with this effort, NAHMS plans to use this opportunity to collect data from cervid producers within the United States as producers enroll in the CWD certification program. APHIS will analyze information from this study and prepare descriptive reports and information sheets that will be disseminated to cervid producers, stakeholders, academia, and other interested parties. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)to approve the national CWD 2005 Study. 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 1 hour per response. *Respondents:* Cervid producers. *Estimated annual number of respondents:* 5,600. *Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:* 1. *Estimated annual number of responses:* 5,600. *Estimated total annual burden on respondents:* 5,600 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. Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of April 2005. Elizabeth E. Gaston, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E5-1861 Filed 4-19-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 05-016-1] 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 associated with proposed regulations for the payment of compensation in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: EDOCKET: Go to *http://www.epa.gov/feddocket* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on the “View Open APHIS Dockets” link to locate this document. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05-016-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05-016-1. *Reading Room:* You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 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. *Other Information:* You may view APHIS documents published in the **Federal Register** and related information on the Internet at *http://www.aphis.usda. gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the proposed regulations for payment of compensation if foot-and-mouth disease occurred in the United States, contact Dr. Mark Teachman, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Emergency Management Staff, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737;

(301)734-8908. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS* Information Collection Coordinator, at

(301)734-7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Foot-and-Mouth Disease Payment of Indemnity; Update of Provisions. *OMB Number:* 0579-0199. *Type of Request:* Extension of approval of an information collection. *Abstract:* The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture administers regulations at 9 CFR part 53 that provide for the payment of indemnity to owners of animals that are required to be destroyed because of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), pleuropneumonia, rinderpest, exotic Newcastle disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, infectious salmon anemia, spring viremia of carp, or any other communicable disease of livestock or poultry that in the opinion of the Secretary of Agriculture constitutes an emergency and threatens the U.S. livestock or poultry population. The regulations authorize payments based on the fair market value of the animals destroyed, as well as payments for their destruction and disposal. The regulations also authorize payments for materials that must be cleaned and disinfected or destroyed because of being contaminated by or exposed to disease. As a result of a review of part 53 by APHIS, in part due to past outbreaks of FMD in the United Kingdom and elsewhere around the world, we proposed changes to the regulations to help ensure a successful control and eradication program in the event of an outbreak of FMD in the United States ( *see* 67 FR 21934-21959, APHIS Docket No. 01-069-1, May 1, 2002). The proposed rule would require eligible persons to submit claims for compensation resulting from the destruction of animals and related expenses using forms approved by APHIS. Claimants would also be expected to provide any supporting documentation that would assist the Administrator in verifying the quantity and value of animals or materials destroyed and the costs of their disposition, and the costs of cleaning and disinfection. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)to approve this information collection for an additional 3 years. The estimate below shows a minimal burden of 1 hour total because we believe that an FMD outbreak in the United States is unlikely. Therefore, we currently are not collecting information and do not plan to collect information unless an outbreak of FMD occurs. In that event, we would review the estimated number of respondents and estimated burden based on the number of expected respondents in that situation. 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

(FSIS)is soliciting proposals for cooperative agreement projects to be funded in fiscal year 2005. Proposals should be made in one or more of the cooperative agreement program areas described in this notice. DATES: Proposals must be submitted by June 20, 2005. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background FSIS continuously seeks new ideas and strategies to reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses associated with meat, poultry, and egg products and protect the food supply. Agency innovations, notably those associated with the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, have helped reduce foodborne illnesses in recent years. FSIS seeks to achieve additional reductions in foodborne illnesses, and to enhance food security, through further improvements in FSIS operations and through joint efforts with partner agencies and organizations. To achieve this goal, FSIS is authorized to use cooperative agreements to reflect a relationship between FSIS and other Federal agencies, States, or cooperators to carry out educational programs or special studies to improve the safety of the nation's food supply (Pub. L. 108-7, sec. 713, 117 Stat. 39). Also, FSIS has been directed to further develop the Food Emergency Response Network, a network of Federal, State and local laboratories that provides the nation the analytic capabilities and capacity it needs to cope with agents threatening the food supply (Pub. L. 108-447; H.R. Conf. Rpt. 108-792). Risk analyses have shown that the safety of food is affected by hazards throughout the farm-to-table continuum. FSIS alone does not have the resources to address and ameliorate all hazards. FSIS seeks partners to assist in the development of materials that will have a national impact on public health. In keeping with its July 2004 strategy paper “Fulfilling the Vision, Initiatives in Protecting Public Health,” FSIS will engage in cooperative projects that will achieve measurable enhancement of the Nation's public health through food safety. With the goal of making demonstrable improvements in public health through further science-based reductions in the incidence of foodborne disease and hazards associated with meat, poultry, and egg products, and to enhance food defenses through improved State and local government laboratory participation in the Food Emergency Response Network, FSIS will fund cooperative agreements in the following areas: 1. *Food animal production, transportation, and marketing.* Projects would develop and implement producer education programs that promote the use of best practices and interventions that reduce the potential for pathogens and other hazards borne by livestock and poultry to be introduced into meat, poultry, and egg products produced from those animals. An example would be a project to develop practical methods for controlling Salmonella or pathogenic E. coli on the farm to decrease the prevalence of those bacteria at slaughter. 2. *Small and very small inspected meat, poultry, or egg product establishments.* Projects would assist small plants (fewer than 500 employees) and very small plants (10 or fewer employees, or less than $2.5 million in annual sales), which often have limited technical and financial resources with which to comply fully with Federal inspection requirements. FSIS seeks to develop food safety training and educational programs and materials to reflect the needs of diverse customers and constituents with specific food safety concerns. The Nation's diverse population is reflected in its diverse food industry, which presents challenges for regulatory authorities, who must communicate effectively with them on a range of food safety issues. Projects would equip FSIS and its food safety partners to better overcome language and cultural barriers in delivering essential food safety messages to these firms. Projects would help FSIS and state meat and poultry inspection program officials identify and address food safety and public health concerns associated with particular geographic regions or specific minority populations. FSIS is seeking to develop new and innovative materials that cover topics such as Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, validation of pathogen controls in small plants, assessing the effectiveness of food safety systems, and building on lessons learned from HACCP systems. 3. *Retail stores, food service establishments, and other inspection-exempt small businesses processing or handling meat, poultry, and egg products.* Projects would assist State and local agencies to promote, and food businesses under their jurisdiction to adopt, appropriate controls and interventions to ensure that inspection-exempt meat and poultry products being produced are safe and wholesome and that inspected meat and poultry products being handled and prepared remain safe and wholesome for consumers. Projects may address State and local retail inspectors' needs for tools to ensure the safety of meat and poultry processed or handled at retail, reducing the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, and ways to leverage current Federal, State, and local food safety activities to more effectively protect consumers. 4. *Applications of new technologies that will permit small and very small meat, poultry, and egg product establishments to produce safer products.* Projects would assist small and very small plants to adapt and use new technologies, including interventions, processes, and systems, to enhance product safety. 5. *Enhancement of laboratory testing capability of the Food Emergency Response Network for microbiological threat agents.* Cooperative agreements will develop programs to assist State and local laboratories to augment microbiological threat agent testing capacities and increase the number of member laboratories that are able to perform threat agent testing for the network. The agreements will enhance laboratories' ability to analyze for microbiological threat agents using FERN methods and improve laboratory capacities for surveillance and outbreak response. The agreements will support training in FERN threat agent methods and the purchase of supplies and equipment required by the methods. After training and demonstration of proficiency, laboratories will participate in validation studies with various food matrices as well as surveillance activities sponsored by FERN. FSIS expects to allocate approximately $2,500,000 to fund cooperative agreements in these areas this fiscal year. The approximate amount available for each area, and the range in dollars for proposed cooperative projects, is provided below. Academic institutions; State, local and tribal government agencies; and non-profit organizations are invited to submit brief proposals (one to two pages) for cooperative agreements in any of the areas described. These proposals will be reviewed by FSIS. If reviewers find that the proposals would further the food safety and public health goals of FSIS, are applicable nationwide to targeted audiences, can be reproduced and disseminated, and reflect new materials or approaches, submitters will be invited to further develop the proposals for consideration as cooperative agreements with FSIS, as funding is available. Proposals are due June 20, 2005. FSIS will review and respond to proposals by August 3, 2005. Unlike typical Federal grants, cooperative agreements involve a Federal agency's active participation with the cooperator during both project development and project execution. Work products are intended to be available for public use nationwide. The criteria used by FSIS to assess proposals are listed for each cooperative agreement program area. Cooperators whose proposals are selected for further project development will need to discuss and reach agreement with FSIS on project details to permit establishment of a cooperative agreement no later than July 30, 2005. All proposals should address the following points: • Project description, including specific goals, timeline, and deliverables • Description of national public benefit expected, including expected utility of work products, for example, training manuals, CDs, and videos • Projected costs, including cooperator contributions • Projected performance measures • Primary contact, principal investigator, and other likely participants, and • Public domain; work products may be freely reproduced and distributed by FSIS. Multi-year projects will be considered, but they are subject to annual renewal and may be affected by changes in FSIS’ annual budget. The number of projects funded each year is determined by the number of proposals received, the extent to which they will further the food safety and public health goals of the Agency, the performance of ongoing projects, and funding availability. Proposals are being solicited for fiscal year 2005 for the following five cooperative agreement program areas: 1. *Food animal production, transportation, and marketing Description:* Cooperative agreements will support State-level partnerships to bring together food animal producers, veterinarians, Extension specialists, State and Federal animal health officials, and State and Federal public health officials to provide information and education to food animal producers. Partnerships will develop and distribute to producers educational materials that strengthen food safety through adoption of animal production practices that support pathogen reduction and residue avoidance in food animals. State food safety partnerships will provide a continuing non-regulatory infrastructure for information sharing among all levels of government and the food animal industries and will enhance and recognize Quality Assurance Programs

(QAP)as a basic element of pre-harvest food safety. *Funding Level:* The total level for fiscal year 2005 is approximately $500,000. Agreements usually will not exceed $50,000. *Evaluation Criteria:* Proposals for funding will be ranked in consideration of certain factors. They are, in order of significance: • Proposal's feasibility and relevance to pre-harvest food safety • Participation by State animal health or public health officials • Participation by food animal industry leaders • Special animal health or food safety needs of industry • Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver to producers information on food safety awareness and safe production practices • Food animal population affected • Cooperator's past performance in animal and egg production food safety cooperative agreements, and • Geographic distribution of States (need for national presence). *Submit Proposals to: john.ragan@fsis.usda.* Although electronic submissions are encouraged, proposals also may be mailed to John R. Ragan, D.V.M., Animal and Egg Production Food Safety Staff, Zoonotic Diseases and Residue Surveillance Division, Office of Public Health Science, FSIS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 343 Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Ragan, D.V.M.,

(202)690-1277, or Sibyl Wright,

(202)720-4923, *sibyl.wright@fsis.usda.gov* , of the Animal and Egg Production Food Safety Staff. 2. *Small and very small inspected meat, poultry or egg product establishments.* *Description:* Cooperative agreements will provide outreach to constituencies involved in FSIS-regulated activities, principally small and very small establishments and establishments in tribal and other underserved areas. Projects support training, education, and outreach that will promote more effective use of HACCP systems, appropriate responses to emerging food safety and food security concerns, understanding of the latest information on foodborne illness and hazards, availability of new procedures and technologies for hazard avoidance and mitigation, and security guidance. *Funding Level:* The total level is approximately $250,000. Agreements typically range from $10,000 to $30,000. Larger amounts may be considered for compelling projects. *Evaluation Criteria:* Proposals for funding will be ranked in consideration of certain factors. They are, in order of significance: • Responds to the needs of small and very small plants • Provides for measurable, documented results • Provides a degree of innovation • Assists small and very small plants to maintain effective HACCP systems, produce safe products, and otherwise comply with Federal regulations • Provides a deliverable product that can be easily shared and is applicable to a wide audience. For example, the project will result in information or materials and be presented in a format that can be used by FSIS and its partners to improve food safety and impact public health, and • Cooperator agrees to contribute significant resources to the project. *Submit Proposals to: kathleen.barrett@fsis.usda.gov* . Although electronic submission is encouraged, proposals also may be mailed to Kathleen Barrett at Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach Staff, FSIS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 405 Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20250. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Barrett, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach Staff, at

(202)690-6644. 3. *Retail stores, food service establishments, and other inspection-exempt small businesses processing or handling meat, poultry, and egg products.* *Description:* Projects will promote adoption of practices by small businesses, in particular retail and food service establishments, to reduce or eliminate food safety hazards to foods under their control. Projects are typically aimed at enhancing State, local, or tribal government food protection agencies' outreach capabilities and ability to make measurable improvements in food safety in support of FSIS' national public health mission and goals. *Funding Level:* The total level is $250,000. Agreements typically range from $20,000 to $50,000. Larger amounts may be considered for compelling projects. *Evaluation Criteria:* Proposals for funding will be ranked in consideration of certain factors. They are, in order of significance: • Contributes to adoption by firms producing or handling meat, poultry, and egg products of the best available practices for controlling food safety hazards in their commercial environment. • Provides State and local food inspectors tools for ensuring the safety of meat and poultry processed or handled at retail. • Leverages current Federal, State, and local food safety activities to more effectively protect consumers. • Provides a degree of innovation. • Provides a deliverable product that is transferable; that is, the project will result in information or materials useful for food safety in other jurisdictions. • Responds to needs of underserved areas or populations. • Involves collaboration among interested entities; that is, the project involves industry, academia, Extension, and consumer groups as well as government agencies (involvement of a state food safety task force is desirable). • Cooperator agrees to contribute significant resources to the project. • Reduces the potential for product contamination, in particular, Listeria contamination of ready to eat foods. *Submit Proposals to: ralph.stafko@fsis.usda.gov* . Although electronic submissions are encouraged, proposals also may be mailed to Ralph Stafko, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Outreach Staff, FSIS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 405 Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20250. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Stafko, Strategic Initiatives, Partnership, and Outreach Staff, at

(202)690-6520. 4. *New Technology that will permit small and very small meat, poultry and egg product establishments to produce safer products.* *Description:* Cooperative agreements will promote new technologies or new adaptations of technologies, including interventions, processes, or systems, that will enhance the ability of small and very small plants to produce safe and wholesome meat, poultry, and egg products. *Funding Level:* The total is approximately $500,000. Agreements will range from $25,000 to $75,000. Larger contract proposal amounts may be considered for certain projects that address FSIS food safety priorities. *Evaluation Criteria:* Proposals for funding will be ranked in consideration of certain factors. They are, in order of significance: • Helps small and very small plants meet their HACCP and food safety requirements. • Helps small and very small plants to understand how to demonstrate that a new technology complies with Federal inspection requirements. • Provides a degree of innovation. • Applies new research and technologies that address current food safety and public health concerns, such as properly handling and labeling products that contain ingredients that are known allergens. • Provides deliverable products that are easily transferable, such as videos, training programs, and flow charts. The project will result in information or materials useful to small and very small plants to improve food safety. For example, the subjects of proposals may include: • Antimicrobial or other kinds of interventions to reduce or eliminate E. coli 0157:H7 in ground meat products. • Listeria monocytogenes post-lethality treatments for ready-to-eat products. • The relationship between the level of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs and egg products and the molting of poultry. • The relationship between the level of Salmonella enteritidis and the temperature at which eggs have been held from the day of lay until the day of processing. • Salmonella growth and reduction in shelf-stable ready-to-eat products. • Cost-effective mechanisms to determine the temperature of products while they are being shipped. • Allergens, food sensitivities, and intolerances in meat and poultry products; development of a training program for small and very small plants to help with the reassessment of their HACCP programs as they pertain to any ingredient that may be an allergen. • Inoculation challenge studies on non-thermally processed ready-to-eat products; for example, validation studies for dry cured chorizo, basturma, prosciutto ham, and pancetta. • The amount of pathogen growth, such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, on livestock carcasses during the cooling process, and the development of easily understood predictive microbial models. • The minimum chamber relative humidity needed to ensure that the moisture level on the product surface is adequate to achieve the desired lethality without increasing the heat resistance of bacterial pathogens (for example, Salmonella spp.). • Alternative methods, such as antimicrobial packaging, to achieve surface lethality for products that had been exposed to the environment after lethality treatment. *Submit Proposals to: shaukat.syed@fsis.usda.gov* . Although electronic submissions are encouraged, proposals also may be mailed to Shaukat H. Syed, D.V.M., Director, New Technology Staff, FSIS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2932, South Building, Washington, DC 20250. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard L. Early, D.V.M., New Technology Staff, at

(202)205-0675. 5. *Enhancement of laboratory testing capability of the Food Emergency Response Network for microbiological threat agents.* *Description:* The Food Emergency Response Network

(FERN)is composed of State and local government regulatory laboratories with varying capacities to perform the testing of threat agents. Cooperative agreements will develop programs to assist State and local laboratories to augment microbiological threat agent testing capacities and increase the number of member laboratories that are able to perform threat agent testing for the network. The agreements will enhance laboratories' ability to analyze for microbiological threat agents using FERN methods and improve laboratory capacities for surveillance and outbreak response. The agreements will support training in FERN threat agent methods and the purchase of supplies and equipment required by the methods. After training and demonstration of proficiency, laboratories will participate in validation studies with various food matrices as well as surveillance activities sponsored by FERN. *Funding Level:* The total level is approximately $1,000,000. Agreements typically range from $50,000 to $100,000. *Evaluation Criteria:* Proposals for funding will be ranked in consideration of certain factors. They are, in order of importance: • Includes provisions for measurable, documented results that may be shared with State and local laboratories, FSIS, or its agents. • Provides information useful for the testing of threat agents in food. • Possesses basic food analytic resources to implement the agreement. • States' willingness to participate in method validation, proficiency testing, and surveillance programs. *Submit Proposals to:* Wayne Ziemer, FERN, FSIS, 950 College Station Road, Athens, Georgia 30605; telephone

(706)546-3591; facsimile

(706)546-3518; *wayne.ziemer@fsis.usda.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frankie J. Beacorn, Biological Food Security and Emergency Branch, Food Emergency Response Network Division, FERN, FSIS, USDA, 950 College Station Road, Athens, Georgia 30677; telephone

(706)546-3578; facsimile

(706)546-3518; *frankie.beacorn@fsis.usda.gov.* Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line through the FSIS Web page located at *http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2005_Notices_Index/.* FSIS also will make copies of this **Federal Register** publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, **Federal Register** notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific professionals, and other individuals who have asked to be included. The update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through Listserv and the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription service that provides an automatic and customized notification when popular pages are updated, including **Federal Register** publications and related documents. This service is available at *http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_and_events/email_subscription/* and allows FSIS customers to sign up for subscription options across eight categories. Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to protect their accounts with passwords. Done at Washington, DC, on April 15, 2005. Barbara J. Masters, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 05-7955 Filed 4-19-05; 8:45 am]

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9 CFR 53
Pub. L. 108-7
117 Stat. 39
Pub. L. 108-447

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Notices

New information collection; comment request

Cite9 CFR 53

Pub. L.Pub. L. 108-7

Stat.117 Stat. 39

Pub. L.Pub. L. 108-447

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