Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis: Importation of Cattle and Bison

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 an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations governing importation of cattle and bison, specifically with regard to classification of regions at designated status levels for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, and establishing conditions for the importation of cattle and bison from regions with the various classifications.

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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 65718-65719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21201]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2026-1486]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis: Importation of Cattle 
and Bison

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 the regulations governing importation of 
cattle and bison, specifically with regard to classification of regions 
at designated status levels for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, 
and establishing conditions for the importation of cattle and bison 
from regions with the various classifications.

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-2026-1486 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-2026-1486, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, #AP760, Beltsville, MD 20705.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.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 for 
bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis regionalization and associated 
importation of cattle and bison, contact Dr. Amber Kerk, Assistant 
Director, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, VS, 
APHIS, 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606; 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#68291b033a0d0f01070609040112091c010706281d1b0c09460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="09487a625b6c6e60666768656073687d606667497c7a6d68276e667f">[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) 851-2538; 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3273627a7b611c62607372474156531c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a7b6a727369146a687b7a4f495e5b145d554c">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis: Importation of Cattle 
and Bison.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0442.

[[Page 65719]]

    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) of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture 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. To carry out 
this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals and animal 
products into the United States. APHIS' Veterinary Services is the 
program responsible for regulating these importations.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 contain, among other things, 
provisions that address the risk that imported bovines (cattle or 
bison) may introduce or disseminate brucellosis or bovine tuberculosis 
(TB) within the United States. In 2020, APHIS amended its import 
regulations to establish a system to classify foreign regions at 
designated status levels for bovine TB and brucellosis; to establish 
provisions for modifying the TB or brucellosis classification of a 
foreign region; and establishing conditions for the importation of 
cattle and bison from regions with the various classifications.
    TB is a contagious disease of both animals and humans. Bovine TB, 
caused by Mycobacterum bovis, can be transmitted from livestock to 
humans and other animals. Brucellosis is an infectious disease of 
animals and humans caused by the bacteria of the genus Brucella. The 
disease is characterized by abortions and impaired fertility in its 
principal animal hosts. Different Brucella species are associated with 
disease in different host species; Brucella abortus is associated with 
the disease in cattle and bison. There is no economically feasible 
treatment for brucellosis in livestock.
    The activities include the request for regional classification and 
additional information about a region, an application for recognition 
of regional classification (TB and brucellosis), maintaining 
classification and reclassification, and the official identification 
and certification.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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 burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 14.6 hours per response.
    Respondents: Foreign animal health officials; importers and 
exporters.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 21.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 62.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 907 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 30th day of September 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21201 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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