Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Agriculture wants to learn how farmers deal with animals that might harm their livestock, like wolves or foxes. They plan to ask farmers questions to help make better rules and programs, but some people are worried about if the questions will be fair and if the farmers' answers will be kept secret.
Summary AI
The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of an information collection requirement. This survey is about livestock producers' perceptions of predators and the methods they use to manage predator damage. The survey will collect data from producers who have experienced livestock losses to predators and have participated in nonlethal management programs by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This information will help APHIS improve its programs and policies by understanding producers' experiences and attitudes towards different predator management methods.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document outlines a request from the Department of Agriculture to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the approval of a new information collection requirement. This initiative is designed to understand livestock producers' perceptions of predators and their experiences with predator damage management methods, particularly those that are nonlethal. The collection of this data is intended to inform and enhance the programs managed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), ultimately contributing to better policies and practices in managing livestock losses due to predators.
Summary and Purpose
The document primarily serves as an announcement and request for public comment on a newly proposed survey by APHIS. The survey aims to glean insights from livestock producers who have suffered losses from predators and have engaged with APHIS's nonlethal damage management initiatives. The collected data will help shape future policies and initiatives to manage predator damage effectively and sustainably. By understanding the producers' perceptions and experiences, APHIS hopes to refine its approaches and increase the efficacy of its programs.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are a few notable concerns associated with this document:
Confidentiality of Data: While the document states that survey information will not be linked to the respondents' names or contact information, it does not provide comprehensive information on other measures to ensure the confidentiality and security of the data collected.
Sample Selection: The criteria for selecting the 200 respondents are not mentioned, leaving questions about the representativeness of the survey sample. This could affect the credibility and applicability of the survey findings.
Efficiency of Burden Hours: The document notes a total burden of 265 hours but does not provide context for evaluating whether this figure is efficient or justified. This might lead to concerns about potential waste if the survey is seen as unnecessarily burdensome.
Use of Technical References: The document includes legal and regulatory references, such as "7 CFR 371.6" and "7 U.S.C. 8351," which might be unclear to readers unfamiliar with federal statutes. A lack of plain language explanations could limit public engagement and understanding.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
For the general public, the document represents an effort to improve wildlife and livestock management practices by integrating real-world insights from those directly affected—livestock producers. If successful, these insights could lead to more effective and humane management strategies that balance agricultural needs with wildlife conservation principles.
The primary stakeholders, including livestock producers and regulatory bodies, may experience distinct impacts:
Livestock Producers: Participants in the survey may help shape policies that more accurately reflect on-the-ground conditions and needs. This could lead to enhanced support for nonlethal predator management methods, potentially reducing losses and improving livestock safety.
Regulatory Bodies: The survey findings could inform APHIS's policy-making process, leading to data-driven decisions that reflect producers' realities and enhance the efficacy of damage management programs.
In conclusion, the success of this initiative hinges on addressing confidentiality concerns, ensuring representative sampling, and clarifying the utility of burden hours. Properly addressing these issues can enhance the credibility of the survey and its subsequent impact on policy and program development.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed information on how the data collected from the survey will be safeguarded to protect respondent confidentiality beyond not linking survey information with respondent name or contact information.
• There is no explanation of the criteria used for choosing the 200 respondents, which may raise questions about the representativeness of the survey sample.
• The summary of burden hours lacks context about whether 265 total burden hours is efficient or necessary relative to the value of information being collected. This could be perceived as potentially wasteful if not justified.
• The posting uses technical references like '7 CFR 371.6' without providing plain language explanations, which might make it unclear to those not familiar with federal regulations.
• The document briefly refers to specific legislation and regulations (e.g., 7 U.S.C. 8351; Public Law 104-13) without explanation, potentially making it difficult for readers unfamiliar with these laws to fully understand the authority and requirements driving the collection.