0338 Ss 2017-8-15

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
JOHNE’S DISEASE IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
OMB NO. 0579-0338
August 2017
Introduction: To more accurately reflect the current activities, APHIS has revised the title of
this information collection from ‘‘Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program’’ to
‘‘Johne’s Disease in Domestic Animals.’’
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 APHIS’ ability to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.
Johne’s disease affects cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants. It is an incurable and contagious
disease that results in progressive wasting and eventual death. The disease is nearly always
introduced into a healthy herd by an infected animal that is not showing symptoms of the disease.
APHIS regulations provide that cattle and other domestic animals suspected of having Johne’s
disease can be moved interstate for purposes other than slaughter if certain procedures are strictly
followed. For example, sexually intact animals that are positive to an official Johne’s disease test
(as defined at title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR) 80.1) may be moved interstate for the
collection of germplasm. Moving Johne’s-positive livestock interstate for slaughter or for other
purposes without increasing the risk of disease spread requires the use of information collection
activities.
APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for 3 additional years, the use of information collection activities
associated with its efforts to control Johne’s disease in the United States.

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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 associated with its efforts to control Johne’s
disease in the United States.
Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals (VS 1-27)/Owner-Shipper Statement (Business
and Accredited Veterinarians) - 9 CFR 80.3(a)(2)
The permit (an owner-shipper statement can also be used) is completed by the owner or shipper of
the animals. Use of the form enables these individuals to ship animals sooner than they could if they
had to wait for government personnel to issue a certificate or movement permit. (This, in turn,
hastens the removal of sick animals from the farm, reducing the opportunity for disease to spread to
healthy animals.)
The 1-27 or owner-shipper statement contains the following information: (1) the number of animals
to be moved, (2) the species of the animals, (3) the points of origin and destination, and (4) the
names and addresses of the consignor and the consignee. The owner-shipper statement provides
written documentation alerting APHIS that affected animals are being moved interstate. This, in
turn, enables APHIS to track the movement of these animals for disease control purposes.
Official Ear Tags (Business) - 9 CFR 80.3(a)(3)
APHIS’ current regulations require that domestic animals positive to an official Johne’s disease test
that are being moved interstate be identified with an official ear tag as described at 9 CFR 80.1.
APHIS believes that such ear tags are more than sufficient to properly identify these cattle.
Accredited veterinarians typically apply the official ear tag, which is used to trace these animals to
their herd of origin even if they become separated from their accompanying documentation.
Request for Permission to Move (Business) - 9 CFR 80.3(b)
Owners or shippers may ask the APHIS Administrator to allow domestic animals positive to an
official Johne's disease test to be moved interstate in a manner other than as provided in 9 CFR
80.1(a). The request must be made in writing and must specify the conditions under which the
animals are to be moved. The Administrator may also prescribe in each case conditions designed to
prevent the spread of Johne's disease. The Administrator will promptly notify the State animal
health officials of the States involved of any such action.

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 major information collection component of this program, including the Permit for Movement of
Restricted Animals (VS 1-27) and/or owner-shipper statement requires an original signature, and is
serially numbered; therefore, not conducive to an electronic format.

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Ear tags and other animal identification move with the animals, being physically attached, and
therefore are not candidates for electronic submission.
The Request for Permission to Move is usually submitted as a letter, which may be emailed to
APHIS.

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 APHIS collects in connection with this effort is not available from any other
source. APHIS is the only agency responsible for detecting and controlling contagious animal
diseases such as Johne’s Disease in the United States.

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 needed to assess the disease status of
animals and premises, assist and track disease control efforts at the State and premises level, and
track vaccination history. APHIS estimates that all respondents are small entities.

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 were collected less frequently or not collected, the ability of APHIS to control
Johne’s disease would be greatly hindered. APHIS needs to be able to identify and protect nonaffected herds as well as other healthy animals to help reduce the national prevalence of the disease
to prevent serious economic and health effects for the U.S. livestock industry. This disease is
contagious and fatal, and affects many different kinds of ruminants.

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;

•

requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information
in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

•

requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;

•

requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than 3 years;
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•

in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

•

requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;

•

that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority
established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data
security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes
sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

•

requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to
protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

No 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 recordkeeping,
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.
APHIS engaged in productive consultations with the following individuals concerning the
information collection activities associated with this program:
Dr. Jamie Jonker, Vice President
Sustainability & Scientific Affairs
National Milk Producers Federation
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22201
703-243-6111
Dr. Scott J. Wells, Professor, Veterinary Population Medicine
Director of Academic Programs
Center for Animal Health and Food Safety
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
136 Andrew Boss Laboratory,
1354 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-625-7773

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Dr. James A. Watson, State Veterinarian
Board of Animal Health
Mississippi Department of Animal Health
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3889
Jackson, MS 39207
601-359-1170
On Monday, June 19, 2017, pages 27792-27793, APHIS published in the Federal Register, a 60day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection of
information. No comments were received from the public.

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 herd owners,
accredited veterinarians, and livestock shippers.
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•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 $308.70. APHIS arrived at
this figure by multiplying the total burden hours of estimated response time (9 hours) by the
estimated average hourly wage of the respondents ($34.30):
Animal shippers: $32.11 (sale representatives, wholesale/manufacturing)
Animal producers: $23.22 (first-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers)
Veterinarians: $47.59
The average hourly rate is derived from the U.S Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics
Report – National Compensation Survey: Occupational Employment and Wages.
See http://www.bls.gov/oes/#tables

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers
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 start-up 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 $168. (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.
Program
Program
Change Due Change Due to
Change Due Change Due to to Adjustment
Potential
Requested
to New
Agency
in Agency
Violation of the
Statute
Discretion
Estimate
PRA
Annual Number of
Responses

Previously
Approved

13

0

7

0

6

Annual Time Burden
(Hr)

9

1

5

0

3

Annual Cost Burden
($)

0

0

0

0

0

0

Program Change: There is a program change of +4 respondents and + 7 responses resulting in an
increase of +5 total burden hours due to adding:

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(1) Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals VS 1-27 (Accredited Veterinarians);
(2) Owner-Shipper Statement (Business); and
(3) Request for Permission to Move (Business).
Adjustment: There is an adjustment of +1 burden hours due total burden hours due to APHIS now
more accurately accounting how long it takes to fill out the VS 1-27.

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 Form 1-27 is used in multiple 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 the VS Form 1-27.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the "Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions under the Act.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
There are no statistical methods associated with the information collection activities used in this
program.

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