Proposed Rules. Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request

Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
Action: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request
Citation: 70 FR (No. 101) · FR Doc. 05-10567 · Docket No. 05-028-1

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 a national animal identification system.

Dates

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 25, 2005.

Supplementary Information

Title: National Animal Identification System. OMB Number: 0579-0259. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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. Animal disease outbreaks around the globe over the past decade, and the detection of an imported cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Washington State in December 2003, have 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. Further, in order to achieve optimal success in controlling or eradicating an animal health threat, the timely retrieval of this information and implementation of intervention strategies after confirmation of a disease outbreak is necessary. While there is currently no nationwide animal identification system in the United States for all animals of a given species, some segments of certain species are required to be identified as part of current program disease eradication activities. In addition, some significant regional voluntary identification programs are in place, and others are currently being developed and tested. In 2004, USDA launched a limited pilot program that enabled States and tribes to initiate experimental animal and premises identification projects and to conduct trials and research to develop, test, and offer solutions for administering animal identification and collecting animal movement data. The pilot program has concluded. A national animal identification system is being implemented by USDA at present on a voluntary basis. It is intended to identify all livestock, as well as record their movements over the course of their lifespans. USDA's 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. This system will also be crucial as USDA works to complete eradication programs in which States, industry, and the Federal Government have invested many years and millions of dollars. USDA is committed to developing a program that is tested both on the farm and in the livestock markets to ensure it is both practical and effective. USDA's technology-neutral position will allow industry to determine which animal identification method or methods are the most practical and effective for each species. This national system will not require additional identification for animals already required to be identified as part of current disease eradication programs, but will replace or supplement various systems currently being used. It may, in fact, simplify the animal identification requirements in many cases, since a national system would provide for a single identification number for each animal rather than multiple numbers for different programs. The national animal identification program involves a number of information collection and recordkeeping activities, including nonproducer participant, individual animal, and animal group identifications; premises identifications; individual transaction records; group/lot movement records; a national animal identification implementation workplan submitted by participants applying for routine implementation funds; and a quarterly accomplishments report so that APHIS can track the progress of their various implementation projects and activities. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 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 information collection, 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 information collection 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: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.2039184 hours per response. Respondents: State animal health authorities; federally recognized tribal governments; owners/operators of feedlots, markets, buying stations, and slaughter plants; producers; and nonproducer participants, such as accredited veterinarians, animal identification (ID) number managers (individuals or firms responsible for assigning animal ID numbers to producers), animal ID companies (companies that manufacture animal ID tags, microchips, or other animal ID devices), third party service providers (companies that provide herd management, dairy herd improvement, genetic evaluation, and other services to producers), and diagnostic laboratories and livestock buyers/dealers who submit data to the national database. Estimated annual number of respondents: 250,000. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.002. Estimated annual number of responses: 1,250,000. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 255,000 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.) Done in Washington, DC, this 20th day of May 2005. Elizabeth E. Gaston, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E5-2671 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Land Management Planning—Transition to 2004 Planning Rule for Previously Initiated Plan Revision AGENCY: Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands, USDA. Authority: 36 CFR 219.14(e). Notice: Transition to 2004 Planning Rule for previously initiated Land Management Plan revision, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. SUMMARY: The Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands will transition to the 2004 Planning Rule while revising the Land and Resource Management Plan. DATES: Transition is effective upon publication of this Federal Register Notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Masinton, 719-553-1475. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Responsible Official (Forest Supervisor) for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche, National Grasslands has elected to transition the previously-initiated Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) Revision so that it falls under the requirements of the 2004 Planning Rule (January 5, 2005, 70 FR 1055). The Plan Revision will be conducted in accordance with all Forest Service directives applicable to the 2004 Planning Rule. All four proclaimed units (Pike, San Isabel, Cimarron, and Comanche) fall under the current Plan. As part of the revision process, the Responsible Official will prepare two Plans. The first will involve the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands—the draft is scheduled for public comment in late 2005; the final will be completed in late 2006. The second of the two revised Plans will involve the Pike and San Isabel National Forests—the draft is scheduled for public comment in late 2008; the final will be completed in late 2009. The public will be invited to collaborate during the development of each revised Plan. Key steps for collaboration occur during development and any subsequent updating of the comprehensive evaluation report, establishing the components of the plan, and in designing the monitoring program. The Responsible Official will decide upon and announce the methods and timing for public participation and involvement. Dated: April 28, 2005. Robert J. Leaverton, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05-10567 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am]