Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Veterinary Services Customer Service Survey

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

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 to evaluate service delivery by Veterinary Services to the public.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 23, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0050-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0050, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0050 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 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 Veterinary Services customer service survey, contact Mr. Randy Snyder, Administrative Officer, VS, APHIS, 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Veterinary Services Customer Service Survey.

OMB Number: 0579-0334.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other things, regulates and provides services related to the importation, interstate movement, and exportation of animals, animal products, and other articles to prevent the spread of pests and diseases of livestock. APHIS' Veterinary Services (VS) is the program unit that carries out these activities to protect animal health.

After performing a service for an individual or business, VS conducts a survey to evaluate its customer service. The survey consists of a short questionnaire in which respondents are asked to identify the type of customer they are (e.g., pet owners, farm owners, animal/animal product producer, animal importer/exporter), and then to rate the services received in terms of courtesy, timeliness, helpfulness, etc. Respondents are also asked to rate and provide comments concerning their overall experience. Completion of the questionnaire is voluntary and responses do not identify the individual respondent.

VS uses the information collected to identify areas in which VS can improve service delivery to the public and more efficiently meet the needs and expectations of customers.

We are asking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity 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 reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.083 hours per response.

Respondents: Members of the public who receive services from Veterinary Services.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,500.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 2,500.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 208 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.