Rev 0137 2013 SS

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Swine HEALTH PROTECTION

OMB NO. 0579-0137

Revised March 2014

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease.

The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401-18 of P.L. 107-171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the United States’ ability to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts a pseudorabies (PRV) eradication program in cooperation with State governments, swine producers, swine shippers, herd owners, and accredited veterinarians. The program identifies PRV-affected swine, provides herd management techniques, and has eliminated PRV in commercial production herds. However, APHIS periodically finds infected swine when swine are exposed to feral swine or other swine that have had exposure to feral swine.

APHIS regulations in title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR) parts 71 and 85 facilitate the PRV eradication program and general swine health by providing requirements for moving swine interstate within a swine production system. (A production system consists of separate farms that each specialize in a different phase of swine production such as sow herds, nursery herds, and finishing herds. These separate farms, all members of the same production system, may be located in more than one State.)

Regulating the interstate movement of swine requires the use of certain information-gathering activities that enable APHIS to ascertain the health status of the swine being moved, the number of swine being moved in a particular shipment, the shipment's point of origin, the shipment's destination, and the reason for the interstate movement. The documents used to gather the necessary information include: (1) the Permit to Move Restricted Animals (VS 1-27); (2) the certificate of veterinary inspection; (3) an owner-shipper statement; (4) the accredited veterinarian's statement concerning embryos for implantation and semen shipments; (5) a swine production system health plan; (6) an interstate movement report and notification; and (7) the completion and recordkeeping of a Quarterly Report of Pseudorabies Control Eradication Activities (VS 7-1). The documents give APHIS critical information concerning a shipment's history, which in turn enables APHIS to engage in swift, successful traceback investigations when infected swine are discovered.

PRV is further controlled through depopulation and indemnity under part 52. Compliance with this part requires use of: (1) an appraisal and indemnity claim form (VS 1-23); (2) herd management plan; and

(3) report of net salvage proceeds.

The information provided by these documents is critical to APHIS’ mission to prevent the introduction or spread of animal diseases. APHIS is therefore asking OMB to renew its approval of these information-gathering activities for an additional 3 years.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

APHIS uses the following information activities to ascertain the health status of the swine being moved, the number of swine being moved in a particular shipment, the shipment's point of origin, the shipment's destination, and the reason for interstate movement.

Permit to Move Restricted Animals (VS 1-27)

Herd owners and producers with PRV-infected, exposed animals who wish to have their swine transported to another facility for slaughter, salvage, or disposal must obtain a permit for movement. The application for the permit, which is filled out by the owner’s accredited veterinarian, must include: (1) the number of swine to be moved, (2) the purpose for which the swine are to be moved, (3) the shipment's points of origin and destination, and (4) the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee. The permit alerts APHIS that infected or exposed animals are being shipped, and allows APHIS to carefully monitor this activity. This permit must be immediately sent to the State animal health office. APHIS’ regulations do not require States to keep the records, but there is an understanding between APHIS and the States that the States will maintain these records for APHIS, generally for 3 years.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

Producers and State officials desiring to move swine interstate that are not within a production system, that are not known to be infected with or exposed to PRV, and are not PRV-vaccinated or are vaccinated with a gene-deleted vaccine, must obtain a State-issued certificate to do so. The certificate (filled out by the herd’s accredited veterinarian) contains: (1) the number and description of the swine to be moved; (2) a statement that the animals are not showing signs of infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases; (3) the purpose for which the swine are to be moved; (4) the shipment's points of origin and destination, and (5) the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee. The veterinarian collects this information via conversations with the producer or State official. The accredited veterinarian must mail or deliver the certificate to the State animal health official of the destination State within 3 days of the date the animals are moved interstate. States receive the certificates and retain them under an understanding with APHIS, similar to the Permit to Move Restricted Animals.

Owner-Shipper Statement

Exposed or infected swine, or those vaccinated with other than a gene-deleted vaccine, can be moved interstate to slaughter, to a quarantined feedlot, or to an approved livestock market if accompanied by an owner-shipper statement. The statement is completed by the owner or shipper of swine and lists: (1) the number of swine to be moved, (2) the shipment's points of origin and destination, and (3) the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee. The owner-shipper statement is not an official form and can be written on any piece of paper as long as it contains the necessary information. Not all owner-shipper statements are collected or inspected. They are usually inspected on a spot-check basis or during an actual outbreak.

Accredited Veterinarian's Statement: Embryo and Semen Shipments

Swine semen and swine embryos moved interstate for insemination of swine or implantation into swine must be accompanied by an accredited veterinarian's statement, written as part of the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, attesting to the health status and freedom from PRV of the donor swine. The accredited veterinarian bases the statement on his or her knowledge of the herd and test results gained through his or her relationship with the livestock owner. The veterinarian must send the statement to the State animal health official of the destination State within 3 days of the date the animals are moved interstate. The statement is retained by States with the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection of which it is a part.

Swine Production System Health Plan

The swine production health plan is an individualized document developed between the participating swine producer, the origin State, and the destination State which requires all farms within a given swine production system to maintain the health of their swine and remain vigilant for any signs of communicable disease. The plan identifies all the farms participating in the swine production system, provides for an accredited veterinarian to perform inspections at these sites, authorizes APHIS and State animal health officials to inspect animals and review records, documents any specific animal health requirements of a State that is a signatory to the plan, describes the recordkeeping system being used by the swine production system, and acknowledges that failure to abide by the provisions of the plan is a basis to cancel the plan. The plan also allows interstate movement within a production system for other than slaughter or to a livestock market. In this case, it is an agreement among the shipping state, the receiving State, and the producer that outlines the shipment's points of origin and destination as well as any additional information or actions agreed on by the States.

The swine production health plan is not valid until it is signed by all participants, including the producers in the production system and the State animal health officials from each State involved.

Interstate Movement Report and Notification

The Interstate Swine Movement Report is a paper or electronic (email) document initiated by swine producers to notify their accredited veterinarians, APHIS, and State regulatory officials in the States of origin and destination that a group of animals is being moved across State lines in a swine production system. This report must contain the name of the swine production system; the name, location, and farm identification number of the farm the swine are leaving and the farm to which the swine are going; the date of the movement; the number, age, and type of swine to be moved; the health status of the herd from which the swine are moving; the name of the accredited veterinarian who regularly inspects the swine on the farm; and a statement that the swine have been inspected and found free from signs of communicable disease by the accredited veterinarian.

Producers moving animals within swine health production systems must complete a report each month for all animals moved within the month. This report must be sent to APHIS officials each month. The report can be a simple spreadsheet indicating the number of animals moved, identification numbers, or any additional information requested in the herd plan. This report is not an official form but must meet the agreed-on criteria of the State veterinarians as specified in the herd health plan.

Quarterly Report of Pseudorabies Control/Eradication Activities (VS 7-1) and Recordkeeping

APHIS recommends this report be completed quarterly by each State receiving Federal PRV funding. The report assists States in ensuring surveillance performance criteria are properly tracked and analyzed. It provides both State and Federal program administrators with program data such as the number of PRV-infected herds in each State, the number of herds vaccinated for PRV, and the total number of animals tested. States completing this form are required to keep the form for 3 years.

The information in the quarterly report is essential to the overall management of APHIS' national PRV eradication program. This data is used by APHIS to report program progress to Congress and leadership within the swine industry. Much of the data this report provides is currently collected and maintained in an electronic format. The electronic generic database can be accessed as needed to verify surveillance activities and present national surveillance information to Congress and swine industry organizations.

All of the forms described above enable APHIS to collect information showing when, where, and why swine are being moved interstate and how surveillance activities are being conducted. This information is critical to the ability of APHIS to monitor animal movements and to trace disease outbreaks to their source. Without the information collected through these forms and documents, APHIS’ ability to rapidly locate potentially infected herds would be compromised.

Appraisal and Indemnity Claim Form (VS 1-23)

APHIS or State personnel complete this form and give herd owners/producers the official appraised value of the swine to be depopulated. Herd owners must sign this form when an agreed-on price per animal is obtained. The form is then signed by the veterinary medical officer, who completes and sends it to the Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC). The AVIC sends the original form to the Regional Office for approval. The Regional Office then sends the form to APHIS headquarters staff; once headquarters staff approves the indemnity amount, the form is returned, through the Regional Office, to the AVIC with appropriate funds to depopulate the animals. The AVIC retains the original form.

Herd Management Plan

On a written herd management plan and before depopulation, removal, or payment of indemnity to any swine herd owner or producer, the producer must agree with either an APHIS official or a State veterinary medical officer to specified terms to receive indemnity. All producers are considered herd owners for purposes of depopulation and indemnity. The herd plan is an agreement between APHIS and the herd owner. It outlines biosecurity measures that the producer must comply with to prevent PRV from reentering the herd. This plan also allows APHIS to depopulate without indemnity if the herd becomes reinfected and it is found that the herd plan was not followed. The agreements are written specifically for each herd. Producers must sign the document after agreement to specified terms to receive indemnity. The document accompanies the VS 1-23 to APHIS headquarters and, after indemnity is approved, is kept by the AVIC.

Report of Net Salvage Proceeds

Producers with PRV-infected, exposed animals who have had their infected swine transported to a slaughter facility for disposal must report to APHIS the value received for the depopulation. The owner reports the value minus the trucking expense to APHIS. APHIS pays the herd owner the difference between the indemnity price and his or her net salvage proceeds. The herd owner must provide documentation of this amount to APHIS by fax, mail, or in person once the herd has been disposed of to receive compensation.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals (VS 1-27) is not available in an electronic format. Use of this form requires individuals to seal vehicles. Additionally, original documents with signatures must accompany the animal shipment. Therefore, APHIS has no plans to produce this form in an electronic format.

An electronic Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is available. The electronic version can be completed by accredited veterinarians by accessing www.globalvetlink.com or through the USDA Veterinary Services Processes Streamlining System located at https://vsps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps. It includes the accredited veterinarian's statement concerning embryos for implantation and semen shipments. Accredited veterinarians can access, complete, and submit all parts of the form electronically. Once completed, the form is automatically tracked in a data management system. An increasing number of swine veterinarians in multiple States now use the electronic form.

The Quarterly Report of Pseudorabies Control/Eradication Activities (VS 7-1) can be submitted electronically through the generic client-server database (accessible through a specific program that requires permission to access) or through the Automated Web-Based Data System (AWBDS). The two available data submission systems were developed by State and Federal animal health programs for data collection and management.

The owner-shipper statement cannot be submitted electronically. Owner-shipper statements are not official APHIS forms. These forms are created as needed by the swine herd owner or shipper, and are usually collected or inspected on a spot-check basis or during an actual outbreak.

The swine production health plan, while required by APHIS regulations, is not an official report. Rather, it is an agreement among the shipping State, the receiving State, and the producer regarding movement of swine. It also requires original signatures and thus does not lend itself to an electronic format.

The interstate movement report cannot be submitted electronically. This is not an official report but is created by producers to inform accredited veterinarians, State veterinarians, and AVICs of animal movements. These records are collected by States and periodically reviewed for accuracy. They can be transmitted via email or fax to accredited veterinarians, APHIS, or appropriate State offices.

The Appraisal and Indemnity Claim Form (VS 1-23) is available in an electronic PDF format. The form is located on the VS intranet site http://inside.aphis.usda.gov/vs/downloads/vs-form1-23.pdf. However, since this form requires original signatures, the electronic version has to be printed, signed, and submitted to all offices manually by mail or in person.

The herd plan is a producer-specific document, not an official APHIS form. This document is written in cooperation with the producer to prevent reentry of disease. Because this document is different for every producer, a standard electronic form is not available. This document accompanies the VS 1-23; as such, it is generally submitted via mail or in person.

The Report of Net Salvage is not an official form and cannot be created electronically as it differs from case to case. For this report, producers provide proof of sales and payment receipts for animals sold for salvage value to government officials by fax, mail, or in person.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2 above.

The information that APHIS collects for its swine health programs is exclusive to its mission of regulating the interstate movement of swine to prevent the spread of disease, and is not available from any other source. Federal and State personnel work closely together to administer the programs. They have been carefully designed to avoid duplication of information-gathering efforts.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The information APHIS collects is the absolute minimum necessary to track the interstate movement of animals and mitigate risk from known diseased animals. Over 80 percent of all respondents in the collection are considered small businesses. All businesses that perform multiple interstate movements within a production system can reduce the burden of obtaining individual certificates of veterinary inspection by developing an interstate movement report. Producers completing the interstate movement report are exempt from certain information collection requirements normally associated with our PRV prevention efforts.

The swine production health plan is created only once, signed by the appropriate parties, and then simply kept on file. This minimizes burden on producers.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the information was collected less frequently or not collected, APHIS would be unable to mitigate disease risk and protect the swine industry from known infected animals. This could spread swine disease within the United States and have serious health consequences for U.S. swine and economic consequences for the U.S. pork industry. Further, the movement of swine interstate within swine production systems would become less efficient and more time-consuming, consequently placing more financial and logistical burdens on producers who regularly engage in this activity.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

• requiring respondents to report informa­tion to the agency more often than quarterly;

1. The movement permit (VS 1-27) must be immediately sent to the State animal health office per APHIS regulations.

2. The accredited veterinarian must mail or deliver the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to the State animal health official of the destination State within 3 days of the date the animals are moved interstate.

3. The veterinarian must send the Accredited Veterinarian's Statement: Embryo and Semen Shipments to the State animal health official of the destination State within 3 days of the date the animals are moved interstate.

4. Once a month, producers moving swine within a production system must complete an interstate movement summary report. This summary report is required by 9 CFR 71.19(g) (8) to assist APHIS and State government officials in tracking animal movements.

No other special circumstances exist that would require this collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.

In 2013, APHIS engaged in productive consultations with the following individuals concerning the information collection requirements associated with swine health:

Tom Ray, Director, Animal Health Programs-Livestock

North Carolina Department of Agriculture

& Consumer Services, Veterinary Division

2 W Edenton Street, 1030 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC  27699-1030

Phone: 919-733-7601

Beth Thompson

Minnesota Board of Animal Health

625 Robert Street North

St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-296-2942

James D. McKean, Iowa State University

Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

2225 Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center

College of Veterinary Medicine

1600 S. 16^th Street

Ames, IA 50011-1250

Phone 515-294-8792

On Thursday, September 5, 2013, pages 54618-54619, APHIS published in the Federal Register a 60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection of information.

Three comments from the public were received. Two of the comments were from the same concerned citizen about her perception of the general maltreatment of animals and had no relevance to the purpose of the collection. The third comment was submitted on behalf of the National Pork Board and supports APHIS’ monitoring of the requirements for licensing, and also supports APHIS’ more comprehensive and integrated swine disease surveillance system to help further protect the pork industry.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.

This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

No additional assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection. Any and all information obtained in this collection shall not be disclosed except in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This information collection activity asks no questions of a personal or sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.

•Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

See APHIS Form 71. Burden estimates were developed from discussions with swine producers, swine shippers, swine herd owners, State animal health protection authorities, and accredited veterinarians.

•Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to the above respondents to be $1,197,957.76. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the total annual burden hours (35,696) by the estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($33.56).

The average hourly rate is derived from the U.S Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics Report – National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States. See http://www.bls.gov/oes/#tables.

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers: $35.45

Veterinarians: $44.83

State animal health officials [agricultural inspectors]: $20.41

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and startup cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.

No annual cost burden is associated with capital and startup costs, operation and maintenance expenditures, and purchase of services.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The annualized cost to the Federal Government is estimated at $830,886 (see APHIS Form 79).

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1.

ICR Summary of Burden:

• 

	Requested	Program Change Due to New Statute	Program Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Agency Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA	Previously Approved
Annual Number of Responses	144,705	0	0	28,470	0	116,235
Annual Time Burden (Hr)	35,696	0	0	5,856	0	29,840
Annual Cost Burden ($)	0	0	0	0	0	0

In 2010, VS reported the total number of respondents for this program was 7,670, and currently the respondents total 5,120.  This current information more accurately captures activities for Certificates of Veterinary Inspection.  The decrease is due to overestimation of the number of veterinarians participating in swine health-related activities.

The total annual responses in 2010 totaled 116,235, and currently the total annual responses total 144,705.  There is an adjustment of 28,470 annual responses.  The increase is attributed largely to changes in production and industry practices, and more accurate capturing of those activities.  The increase in responses for the Permit to Move Restricted Animals reflects a higher level of movement for restricted animals from one slaughter facility to another. Certain slaughter facilities sort and move animals under permit to other slaughter facilities and are better accounted for now.   Additionally, the increase in owner-shipper statements more accurately reflects the activities occurring in markets and/or private sales throughout the year.   

   

The total burden hours in 2010 totaled 29,840, and currently there is an increase in burden hours to 35,696.  There was an adjustment of 5,856 total burden hours for this renewal due to the increase of annual responses throughout the program and the more accurate capturing of information.

       

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

APHIS has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The VS 1-23 is used in 7 collections; therefore, it is not practical to include an OMB expiration date because of the various expiration dates for each collection. APHIS is seeking approval to not display the OMB expiration date on this form.

The VS 1-27 is used in 5 collections; therefore, it is not practical to include an OMB expiration date because of the various expiration dates for each collection. APHIS is seeking approval to not display the OMB expiration date on this form.

APHIS will display the expiration date for VS 7-1.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in under the "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act."

APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions of the Act.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

Statistical methods will not be used in this information collection.

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