Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Blood and Tissue Collection and Recordkeeping at Slaughtering, Rendering, and Approved Livestock Marketing Establishments and Facilities

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations governing approval and maintenance of livestock marketing establishments and facilities, withdrawal or denial of approval and listing of livestock marketing facilities and slaughtering and rendering facilities, and blood and tissue collection and recordkeeping at these facilities.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65719-65720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21200]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2026-1453]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Blood and Tissue Collection and Recordkeeping 
at Slaughtering, Rendering, and Approved Livestock Marketing 
Establishments and Facilities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and 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 a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection associated with the regulations governing 
approval and maintenance of livestock marketing establishments and 
facilities, withdrawal or denial of approval and listing of livestock 
marketing facilities and slaughtering and rendering facilities, and 
blood and tissue collection and recordkeeping at these facilities.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
December 15, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. 
Enter APHIS-2026-1453 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
    <bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2026-1453, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., AP760, Beltsville, MD 20705.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> or in our reading room, which is located 
in Room 1620 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations 
governing livestock markets and slaughtering and rendering 
establishments, contact Michael Carter, Commodity Policy Advisor, APHIS 
Veterinary Services, at (301) 526-5508; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adc0c4cec5ccc8c183cc83ceccdfd9c8dfedd8dec9cc83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="076a6e646f66626b296629646675736275477274636629606871">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. For 
more information on the information collection reporting process, 
contact Ms. Sheniqua Harris, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act 
Coordinator, at (301) 851-2528 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c584958d8c96eb95978485b0b6a1a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d392839b9a80fd83819293a6a0b7b2fdb4bca5">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Blood and Tissue Collection and Recordkeeping at 
Slaughtering, Rendering, and Approved Livestock Marketing 
Establishments and Facilities.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0212.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.

[[Page 65720]]

    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among 
other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate 
movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction 
into and dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases 
and pests. APHIS carries out this prevention and eradication mission 
through the animal disease surveillance and testing carried out by its 
Veterinary Services (VS) program using procedures and agreements 
prescribed in 9 CFR part 71.
    Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a 
healthy animal population and for enhancing the United States' ability 
to compete in international animal and animal product trade. A key 
element of this approach is the restricted interstate movement of 
livestock within the United States to mitigate the spread of diseases, 
allowing APHIS to use livestock movement records to conduct disease 
surveillance to protect the health of livestock and poultry 
populations. Epidemiological data from blood and tissue sampling is 
used to assess the prevalence of disease and to identify its source. 
Coupled with animal identification, blood and tissue test results are 
used to trace the movement of an animal that tests positive and 
identify other animals it may have encountered that may also be 
diseased.
    When a disease is suspected in a given area, sampling is used to 
determine its presence or absence and to estimate the incidence or 
prevalence if it is present. The amount of sampling may increase in 
selected areas when a disease outbreak is suspected, then reduced in 
that area when sufficient tests have been done to prove the suspicion 
was unfounded or, if found, after the disease is eradicated. Sampling 
is also used to provide data for new or updated risk analyses in 
support of disease control programs, and, as required, opening 
international markets for animal products.
    Regulations at 9 CFR 71.20 and 71.21 authorize APHIS to conduct 
disease surveillance and blood and tissue sampling activities using 
Livestock Facility Agreements and Listing Agreements between APHIS and 
owners and operators of slaughtering and rendering establishments and 
livestock marketing facilities. APHIS requires all livestock facilities 
that enter into Approval of Livestock Facility Agreements (which are 
voluntary) to agree to inspection, and to record animal identification, 
make timely notifications, and take other actions that facilitate 
tracking animal movements and identifying possible disease occurrences. 
APHIS requires all slaughtering and rendering establishments that 
receive livestock or poultry interstate to enter Listing Agreements 
that permit the Agency to conduct blood and tissue sampling at the 
facilities. The Agreements are critical during disease outbreaks as 
they reduce delays in assessments and, subsequently, disease spread. 
Facilities must agree to inspection and compliance reviews. Denial or 
involuntary withdrawal from a facility or listing agreement may be 
appealed. Other information activities include providing schedules of 
sale days, posting of quarantine signs, and maintaining certain 
records.
    We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information 
collection activities for an additional 3 years. APHIS has amended this 
information collection by increasing the number of Respondents; 
however, the number of Responses and Total Burden Hours reported have 
decreased.
    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 0.273 hours per response.
    Respondents: State animal health officials, accredited 
veterinarians, and livestock marketing, slaughtering, and rendering 
establishment owners and employees.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 3,368.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 10,866.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,970 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 7th day of October 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21200 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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