Supporting Statement A

Status: Original and derived artifacts are available for this document.

Download: docx | pdf | html


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)


SUPPORTING STATEMENT for

OMB Control Number: 0579-0071


Title: Emergency Management Response System



Agency POC: Dr. Brian Archer,
Title: EMRS National Coordinator
Phone Number: (620) 755–1724
Email: [email protected]



Address:
USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Veterinary Services, Director’s Office, 
National Preparedness and Incident Coordination, Strategy and Policy
2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. B, 2W93, 
Fort Collins, CO 80526


Date Prepared: September 15, 2026





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.

This is a request for renewal and extention of a currently approved information request. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking renewal for the use of these information collection activities in connection with its efforts to combat foreign animal diseases through surveillance and analysis of information thereby collected using the Emergency Management Emergency Management Response System (EMRS), a Web-based database for reporting investigations of suspected FAD occurrences. APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for an additional 3 years, information collection activities involved in using the EMRS.

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 [7 U.S.C. 8301 et. seq.].

Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the ability of the United States to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade. In connection with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission to prevent animal disease, APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) unit investigates suspected foreign animal disease (FAD) occurrences. These investigations help APHIS protect the health of the U.S. livestock and poultry populations.1 APHIS’ authority to investigate suspected occurrences of FADs in livestock or poultry is delineated in Public Law 87-518, dated July 2, 1962; and 21 U.S.C. 111, 112, 113, 114, 114a, 120, and 134a. The regulations implementing these laws are found in part 53 of Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations. 

Through its FAD Surveillance Program, the VS Emergency Management staff compiles essential epidemiological and diagnostic data used to define FADs and their risk factors. The data is compiled through the use of EMRS.


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 effectively prevent FAD occurrences and protect the health of animals in the United States.
Emergency Management Response System (EMRS); (9 CFR 53); (State) (Business)
When a potential FAD incident is reported, APHIS or State animal health authorities send a foreign animal disease diagnostician to the site. The Federal or State diagnostician obtains vital epidemiological data by conducting field investigations and by interviewing the owner or manager of the premises being investigated. Information collected and recorded in EMRS by the diagnostician includes:

    • The purpose of the diagnostician's visit to the site.
    • The name and address of the site owner or manager.
    • The type of operation being investigated.
    • The number and type of animals on the premises.
    • Whether any animals have been moved to or from the premises and when this movement occurred.
    • The number of sick or dead animals.
    • The results of physical examinations of the affected animals.
    • The results of postmortem examinations.
    • The number and kinds of samples taken.
    • The name of the suspected disease.

VS collects the information is collected via the EMRS2Go application.2  The information is used to determine and take the necessary steps for controlling and eradicating foreign animal disease outbreaks.


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.


APHIS makes every effort to comply with the E-Government Act of 2002 (E-Gov) and to provide for alternative submission of information collections.

EMRS is an online, electronic database in use since 2004. Information is collected through onsite investigation and interviews and entered into the database by an authorized VS or State Department of Agriculture veterinarian. Further information about accessing and using the application is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-emergencies/emrs. The EMRS system allows multiple methods of entering data. APHIS staff or State personnel accessing and using EMRS can build personal user and contact screens including their contact information, dispatch information, and deployment readiness checklist. 


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 is not available from any other source and every effort has been made to avoid duplication. APHIS is the only Federal agency responsible for detecting and eradicating FADs.


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

APHIS estimates zero percent of the respondents will be considered small entities. The information collected is the absolute minimum needed to conduct meaningful surveillance for FADs.


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.

This is an ongoing, mandatory information collection request. If this information is not collected, APHIS will not be able to detect and monitor FAD outbreaks in the United States, thus eliminating the possibility of early detection and eradication. A FAD outbreak would economically damage not only U.S. livestock or poultry industries, but also U.S. consumers.


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 three years;
    • 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.

This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines established 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 respondents listed below by email and phone to discuss the information.  APHIS collects to administer its testing and surveillance for its animal disease programs.  We discussed with them how we and they obtain the necessary data and how frequently; how much data is available; the convenience and clarity of reporting formats and other collection instruments; and the clarity of, and necessity for, any recordkeeping requirements.  The respondents stated via email or phone that they had no concerns with any of these items and had no further recommendations.

Jeff Kaisand, State Veterinarian
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Animal Industry Division
502 E 9th St, Des Moines, IA  50319
Phone: (515) 281-5305
Email: [email protected]

Roger Dudley, State Veterinarian
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
PO Box 94947, Lincoln, NE  68509
Phone:  (402) 875-0594
Email:  [email protected]

Lewis "Bud" Dinges, State Veterinarian and Executive Director
Texas Animal Health Commission
PO Box 12966
Austin TX  78711
Phone:  (512) 719-0704
Email:  [email protected]

On Friday, February 20, 2026, APHIS published in the Federal Register a 60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year approval of this collection of information.  One comment from the public was received. The submitted comment pertains to the USDA's current policy regarding the management of flocks affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The comment does not pertain specifically to information collection and management associated with EMRS.  Therefore, the comment is not relevant for this Extension of Approval.


9.  Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration 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.

See System of Records Notice (SORN), USDA-APHIS-11, Emergency Management Response System (EMRS), FR Doc 20-015-1 which published in Federal Register on December 9, 2021 (Volume 86, Number 234) [pages 70082-70086].

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. APHIS will comply with 5 U.S.C. 552a, Privacy Act of 1974. The APHIS Privacy Officer, Janelle Jordan, reviewed this collection in February 2026, and APHIS is working with the Privacy Office to provide Privacy Act statements as appropriate.


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 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.

    A) 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.

APHIS is seeking approval for 158 respondents (affected public: 107 businesses and 51 State respondents), 24,703 total annual responses and 24,703 total annual burden hours. Burden estimates were developed from discussions with APHIS headquarters and field personnel, State veterinary authorities, and owners and operators of livestock and poultry operations in the United States. See APHIS Form 71.

    B) 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 these respondents to be $1,197,531.28. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the hours of estimated response time (24,703 hours) by the estimated average hourly wage for respondents ($33.93) and then multiplying the result ($838,255.13) by 1.4286 to capture benefit costs. 

Dept of Labor
SOCC Code
Average Hourly Wage
Occupation Description
11-9013
$47.99
Ranchers, farmers, and other agricultural managers
45-2021
$27.41
Animal breeders
45-2011
$26.40
State inspectors

$33.93
Average Hourly Salary

The respondents in this renewal are owners or operators of livestock and poultry facilities and State animal health officials. APHIS derived the estimated wage by averaging the following figures from the U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

According to news release USDL-25-02335, released May 2025, benefits account for 30 percent of employee costs, and wages account for the remaining 70 percent.  Mathematically, total costs can be calculated as a function of wages, resulting in a multiplier of 1.4286.


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 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.

See APHIS Form 79. The annualized cost to the Federal government is estimated at $2,336,236.




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


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
24,703
0
0

0
24,703
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
24,703
0
0

0
24,703

APHIS is seeking approval of an extension of a currently approved information collection request. The currently approved burden for this request is 158 total annual respondents, 24,703 total annual responses and 24,703 total annual burden hours. This request for a renewal is for 158 respondents, 24,703 estimated responses and 24,703 estimated burden hours. This request reflects no change in the number of respondents, estimated responses, or hours of estimated burden from the previous renewal request, as use of the EMRS system – owing to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak that began in 2022 and continues - has remained steady over the intervening 3-year renewal period.

There are no third-party disclosure burden estimates.


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.

There are no forms included in this information collection.


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.