Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program

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 governing its efforts to effectively safeguard the U.S. animal health population against bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

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 65716-65717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21202]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2026-1255]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; National Veterinary Services Laboratories; 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program

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 governing its efforts to effectively safeguard 
the U.S. animal health population against bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy.

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

[[Page 65717]]


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-2026-1255 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-2026-1255, 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://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 
governing laboratory management and BSE surveillance, contact Dr. 
Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Director, National Veterinary Services 
Laboratories, APHIS, Veterinary Services, Diagnostics and Biologics, 
1920 Dayton Ave., Ames, IA 50010; phone number (515) 337-7601; email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcefc9d9d0d9d992ced3deded991ddc9cfc8d9ced1ddd2fcc9cfd8dd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcefc9d9d0d9d992ced3deded991ddc9cfc8d9ced1ddd2fcc9cfd8dd92dbd3ca">[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#4203120a0b116c12100302373126236c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8e9f8e0e1fb86f8fae9e8dddbccc986cfc7de">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform 
Encephalopathy Surveillance Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0409.
    Type of Request: Revision to and 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 
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. 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.
    In connection with this mission, the APHIS National Veterinary 
Services Laboratories safeguard U.S. animal health and contribute to 
public health by ensuring that timely and accurate laboratory support 
is provided by their nationwide animal health diagnostic system.
    The USDA complies with the standard set by the World Organization 
for Animal Health (WOAH) for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) 
surveillance. This compliance is critical for maintaining the United 
States' BSE-risk status with the WOAH. In 2013, the WOAH granted the 
United States negligible risk status for BSE, improving our standing 
with trading partners and reducing our surveillance requirements. APHIS 
reduced the target for BSE samples from 40,000 to 25,000 samples 
annually in 2016, and this remains the current target. Our BSE 
surveillance program requires several information collection 
activities, including completing VS Form 17-146, the BSE Surveillance 
Submission Form; VS Form 17-146A, the BSE Surveillance Submission Form 
Continuation Sheet; and VS Form 17-131, the BSE Surveillance Data 
Collection Form.
    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 decreasing the number of Responses and Total 
Burden Hours reported.
    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 0.12 hours per response.
    Respondents: Accredited veterinarians, animal scientists, and 
slaughter plant personnel.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 204.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 94.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 19,200.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,295 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. 2026-21202 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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