[Federal Register: September 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 189)]
[Notices]               
[Page 56542-56543]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29se08-37]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0103]

 
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Johne's Disease in Domestic Animals; Interstate Movement

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

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

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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 regulations for the interstate movement of 
animals affected with Johne's disease.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0103 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0103, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to 
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0103.
    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: Additional information about APHIS and its

[[Page 56543]]

programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the 
interstate movement of animals affected with Johne's disease, contact 
Dr. Michael Carter, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Ruminant Health 
Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-4914. For copies of 
more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. 
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Johne's Disease in Domestic Animals; Interstate Movement.
    OMB Number: 0579-0148.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
authorized, among other things, to prevent the introduction and 
interstate spread of livestock diseases by prohibiting or restricting 
the importation and interstate movement of animals and other articles 
and by eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. 
In connection with this mission, Veterinary Services (VS), APHIS, 
prohibits or restricts the interstate movement of livestock that have, 
or have been exposed to, Johne's disease.
    Johne's disease, also known as paratuberculosis, is caused by 
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and primarily affects 
cattle, sheep, goats, and other domestic, exotic, and wild ruminants. 
The disease is a chronic and contagious enteritis that results in 
progressive wasting and eventual death. It is nearly always introduced 
into a healthy herd by an infected animal that is not showing symptoms 
of the disease.
    The regulations in 9 CFR, chapter I, subchapter C, govern the 
interstate movement of animals to prevent the dissemination of 
livestock and poultry diseases within the United States. Subchapter C, 
part 71, contains general provisions for the interstate movement of 
animals, poultry, and their products, while part 80 pertains 
specifically to the interstate movement of domestic animals that are 
positive to an official test for Johne's disease.
    These regulations provide that cattle, sheep, goats, and other 
domestic animals that are positive to an official test for Johne's 
disease may generally be moved interstate only to a recognized 
slaughtering establishment or to an approved livestock facility for 
sale to such an establishment. The animals must bear an official eartag 
and be shipped with an owner-shipper statement.
    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 
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 0.370909 hours per response.
    Respondents: Herd owners, shippers, and accredited veterinarians.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.0.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 275.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 102 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 23rd day of September 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-22834 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]

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