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FSIS Issues Draft Guidelines on In-Plant Video Monitoring
Technology Could Strengthen Humane Handling, Food Safety |
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Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Richard J. McIntire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today issued draft guidelines
to assist meat and poultry establishments that want to improve operations by using in-plant video monitoring.
The purpose of the draft guidance, Compliance Guidelines for Use of Video or Other Electronic Monitoring or Recording Equipment in
Federally Inspected Establishments, is to make firms aware that video or other electronic monitoring or recording equipment may be
used in federally inspected establishments where meat and poultry are processed. Establishments may choose to use video or other electronic
recording equipment for various purposes including ensuring that livestock are handled humanely, that good commercial practices are followed,
monitoring product inventory, or conducting establishment security. Records from video or other electronic monitoring or recording equipment
may also be used to meet FSIS' record-keeping requirements.
"Today's action fulfills a recommendation from the November 2008 USDA Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) report that called for
FSIS to determine whether video monitoring would be beneficial in slaughter establishments," said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza.
"In agreeing to that OIG recommendation, FSIS committed to issuing compliance guidelines for using video records and a directive
clarifying FSIS' authority to access establishment video records. FSIS recognizes the importance of this resource."
FSIS is publishing the draft guide while pursuing Office of Management and Budget approval of its use under the federal Paperwork Reduction Act.
Once FSIS receives OMB approval, it will issue the final guidelines. At that time, FSIS may also make changes to the guidelines based on
comments received on this draft guideline.
The draft guidance can be found at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Significant_Guidance/index.asp.
FSIS seeks comments on or before Tuesday, December 14, 2010, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov, or by mail to: Docket Clerk, FSIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
George Washington Carver Center Room 2-217, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD, 20705. All comments submitted must identify FSIS and
the docket number FSIS-2010-0016. Comments will be available for public inspection and posted without change at www.regulations.gov.
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Last Modified: October 14, 2010 |
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