The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment on its request for information collection on three separate matters. All comments are due Aug. 3. In the first, APHIS is requesting approval of an information collection associated with the National Veterinary Services Laboratories animal health diagnostic system. APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories provides a variety of information and services, centered around diagnosis of domestic and foreign animal diseases, support of disease control and eradication programs, reagents for diagnostic testing, training and laboratory certification. Such activities involve information collection, including the VS Form 4-9, Request for Reagents or Supplies; VS Form 4-10, NVSL Customer Contact Update; and VS Form 4-11, Request for NVSL Laboratory Training. APHIS is asking that the approval on its use of the information collection be for 3 years. Click here to submit a comment. APHIS is also requesting an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of horses, ruminants, swine and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is considered to exist. APHIS, among other things, regulates the importation and interstate movement of certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the United States of pests and diseases of livestock. Regulations involve the use of information collection activities, including, according to APHIS, an Application for Import or In Transit Permit for horses, ruminants and swine and a certificate for horses, ruminants, swine and dogs signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official of the exporting region stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of screwworm and, as appropriate, that the animal was treated for screwworm. APHIS is asking that the approval on its use of the information collection be for an additional 3 years. Click here to submit a comment. In addition, APHIS is requesting an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the payment of indemnity for sheep, goats and horses destroyed because of brucellosis. Regulations include an indemnity program for sheep, goats and horses that must be destroyed because of brucellosis. The program is voluntary and was designed to give producers an incentive to cooperate and assist APHIS’ ongoing program to eradicate brucellosis in the United States. The program for the voluntary depopulation of named herds involves the use of a number of information collection activities, according to APHIS, including the completion of indemnity claims, test records and permits; the use of official seals and animal identification; the submission of proof of destruction and requests for extension of certain program-related deadlines. APHIS is asking that the approval on its use of the information collection be for an additional 3 years. Click here to submit a comment. In all three instances, APHIS said it is seeking public comments to: Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of APHIS, including whether the information will have practical utility; Evaluate the accuracy of its estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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. <HOME>
