USDA Seeks Simpler Livestock Sample Reporting from Vets and Farmers
Published Date: 1/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to update and keep collecting info about livestock disease checks. This affects farmers and vets who submit animal samples, with a chance to share thoughts by March 10, 2026. No big cost changes, just smoother ways to keep animals healthy and safe!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Forms Are Critical to Disease Surveillance
APHIS states that Specimen Submission and Parasite Submission forms are routinely used when blood, milk, tissue, urine, or tick samples from animals (cattle, cervids, swine, sheep, goats, horses, poultry) are sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, and that without this information APHIS could not effectively operate disease surveillance or identify animals and herds for disease prevention and eradication.
Three-Year Extension of Specimen Forms
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will request Office of Management and Budget approval to continue its Specimen Submission information collection (OMB Control Number 0579-0090) for an additional 3 years. The notice asks for public comment on or before March 10, 2026.
Time Burden Per Specimen Submission
Each specimen submission is estimated to average 0.325 hours per response. APHIS estimates 14,860 respondents, an average of 6 responses per respondent, 95,060 total annual responses, and a total annual burden of 30,930 hours.
Estimated Burden Has Increased
APHIS states it has amended this information collection due to an increase in the number of respondents, the number of responses, and the total burden hours reported for the collection.
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