Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

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 a currently approved information

collection in support of the Veterinary Accreditation Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 25, 1996, to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate,

ways to minimize the burden (such as the use of automated collection

techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other

aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 95-083-1,

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 95-083-1.

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 and notices are requested to call ahead on (202)

690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For information on the Veterinary

Accreditation Program, contact Dr. J. A. Heamon, Senior Staff

Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River

Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-6954. For copies of

the proposed collection of information, 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: April 30, 1996.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information

collection.

Abstract: The Veterinary Accreditation Program ensures that

adequate numbers of qualified veterinarians are available to work with

the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary

Services (VS), to carry out its mission: to protect and improve the

health, quality, and marketability of U.S. animals and animal products.

Accredited veterinarians cooperate with VS to perform many official

functions and are truly the backbone of U.S. regulatory programs for

livestock and poultry diseases. The Veterinary Accreditation Program is

founded on the mutual respect and professional partnership between

public and private practitioners.

Prior to participating in the Veterinary Accreditation Program,

veterinarians must meet five requirements, including submission of a

written application and completion of a core orientation program.

Information on the application is used by VS to help determine that a

veterinarian has met the requirements to become accredited. State

animal health officials, who have an advisory role in the application

process, must also review all applications and recommend that

applicants be approved or disapproved based on this review. The

orientation program is designed to teach applicants the scope of their

duties and responsibilities as accredited veterinarians, thus helping

to assure that accredited veterinarians are knowledgeable of current

Federal and State animal health rules, objectives, and programs, and

competent in their application. As a result of the collection of this

information a veterinarian may be accredited to perform official

functions for APHIS, VS.

Once a veterinarian becomes accredited, he/she is responsible for

completing and maintaining official paperwork associated with

accredited work. Paperwork associated with accredited work includes

health certification documents, documents associated with applying and

removing official seals and cleaning and disinfection plans, and

laboratory test reports.

The regulations governing veterinary accreditation allow for

information on accredited veterinarians to be periodically updated.

Accredited veterinarians are asked to confirm or update their name,

address, professional activity, licensure, and education information.

The purpose of obtaining this information is to maintain an accurate,

complete, and current national database of accredited veterinarians.

Through this notice APHIS is soliciting public comment on the

proposed collection of information to:

(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, including through the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average .802 hours per response.

Respondents: Veterinary students, veterinarians in private clinical

practice, State animal health officials.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 58,024.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.293.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60,210.

[[Page 1896]]

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the

request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information

collection.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January 1996.

Lonnie J. King,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 96-925 Filed 1-23-96; 8:45 am]

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