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FSIS To Withhold Services To Firms With Delinquent Accounts
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Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
April Demert
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2004 – -- Establishments that have delinquent accounts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) must pay their balances before FSIS will provide them with additional reimbursable overtime and holiday meat, poultry and egg product inspections, according to a notice published by FSIS today.
FSIS charges fees for overtime and holiday inspection services provided to establishments, as well as importers and exporters of meat, poultry and egg products. The agency has the legal authority to charge these fees for reimbursable overtime and holiday inspections and to refuse these same services to individuals and establishments that are delinquent in their payments for these services.
After the new policy takes effect, FSIS will send notices to all individuals and establishments that have outstanding balances for reimbursable overtime that are more than 30 days overdue. If FSIS does not receive full payment of the amount indicated in that notice within 30 days, a second notice will be sent with a certified letter, indicating that if payment in full is not received within 14 days, FSIS will not provide any additional reimbursable overtime or holiday inspections for that individual or establishment until the unsettled debt is paid.
The new policy on debt collections will not affect the provision of regular meat, poultry, and egg product inspections for delinquent establishments and individuals. Only reimbursable overtime and holiday inspections will be refused to delinquent establishments.
If the debt remains unresolved for 180 days, despite FSIS' notification attempts, the account may be transferred to the U.S. Department of Treasury, which may pursue additional options to collect the amount due.
In addition to implementing this debt recovery for unresolved bills for reimbursable overtime and holiday inspection services, FSIS plans to begin similar rulemaking to recoup unpaid debts for reimbursable voluntary services that the agency provides under the Agriculture Marketing Act. These services include certification of technical animal fats for export, inspection of exotic animals and rabbits, and certification of products for dogs, cats, and other carnivorous animals.
For further information on the new policy on delinquent payments for reimbursable services, contact Michael Zimmerer, Director, Financial Management Division, Office of Management, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 5601 Sunnyside Ave, Mail Drop 5262, Beltsville, MD 20705, (301) 504-5885.
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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.
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