[Federal Register: February 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 38)] [Notices] [Page 9468] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26fe99-13] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== [[Page 9468]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 99-005-1] 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 Veterinary Accreditation Program. DATES: We invite you to comment. We will consider all comments that we receive by April 27, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send comments 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 to: Docket No. 99-005-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 99-005-1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the Veterinary Accreditation Program, contact Dr. Quita Bowman, Program Manager, National Veterinary Accreditation Program, Operational Support, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-8093. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Jenkins, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5360. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Veterinary Accreditation Program. OMB Number: 0579-0032. Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1999. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for preventing the spread of serious communicable animal diseases from one State to another, and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. However, because APHIS does not have sufficient personnel to perform all necessary animal disease prevention work, we rely heavily on assistance from veterinarians in the private sector. Our Veterinary Accreditation Program authorizes private veterinary practitioners to work cooperatively with us, as well as with State animal health officials, to carry out regulatory programs that ensure the health of the nation's livestock and poultry. Operating this important program requires us to engage in a number of information gathering activities including: Conducting veterinary accreditation orientation and training. Completing animal health certificates. Applying and removing official seals. Completing test reports. Reviewing applications for veterinary accreditation and re-accreditation. Recordkeeping. Updating information on accredited veterinarians. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the continued use of these information collection activities. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. We need this outside input to 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 0.23149 hours per response. Respondents: Accredited veterinarians, candidates for the Veterinary Accreditation Program, and State animal health officials who review applications for veterinary accreditation and re-accreditation. Estimated annual number of respondents: 56,000. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.054. Estimated annual number of responses: 171,024. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 39,590 hours. (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 22nd day of February 1999. Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 99-4821 Filed 2-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P