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 an information collection to gather data on the health status of swine by conducting a national on-farm study of swine, Swine 2000, in support of the National Animal Health Monitoring System.

DATES:

We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all comments that we receive by September 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 00-053-1, 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. 00-053-1.

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.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the Swine 2000 activities, contact Ms. Marj Swanson, Management Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 555 S. Howes, Fort Collins, CO 80521; (970) 490-7978. 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: National Animal Health Monitoring System (Swine 2000).

OMB Number: 0579-XXXX.

Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.

Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for protecting and improving the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animal and poultry populations by preventing the spread of contagious, infectious, or communicable animal diseases from one State to another and by eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. In connection with this mission, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 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 diseases. Information from these studies is disseminated and used by livestock and poultry producers, consumers, animal health officials, private veterinary practitioners, animal industry groups, policymakers, public health officials, the media, educational institutions, and others to improve agriculture's productivity and competitiveness.

NAHMS' national studies have evolved into a collaborative industry and government initiative. We are the only agency responsible for collecting national data on animal and poultry health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential.

The Swine 2000 project will identify factors associated with the shedding of specific pathogens by swine, describe antimicrobial usage, and describe animal health management practices and their relationship to swine health. In addition, data collected through our Swine 2000 project will be used to describe the changes in management practices and animal health in swine operations by comparing certain data gathered in 1990 and 1995 with data gathered in the Swine 2000 project.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the use of this information collection activity.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning this 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: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .64577 hours per response.

Respondents: Industry personnel, private veterinary practitioners, company and independent producers, academicians, State veterinary medical officers, and State public health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 17,800.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.03089.

Estimated annual number of responses: 18,350.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 11,850 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.