Food Safety and Inspection Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700

Report on a Survey of the National Residue Program Uniform Application in Cull Cow Plants

APPENDICES 

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• Project Team List 
• Data Collection Instruments: 
  • VMO Survey 
  • Equipment Checklist 
  • Supplies Checklist 
  • FAST Procedure Checklist 
  • Observation of High Risk Carcass Selection Checklist 
  • Records Review 
  • District Managers Survey
• Copies of Forms: 
  • Laboratory Report Form 
  • FAST Worksheet 
  • STOP Worksheet 
  • Noncompliance Record 
• Plant Awareness Package: 
  • FSIS Notices 26-99 
  • Residue Information Sheet 
• FSIS Notices: 
  • FSIS Notice 24-00 
  • FSIS Notice 45-99 

PROJECT TEAM 

Project Manager: Barbara Masters, TSC 

Instrument Development 

• Isabel Arrington, TSC
• Steve Bengston, OPHS
• Manzoor Chaudry, TSC
• Chander Dev, SVMO-IIC
• Damodar Deshmukh, TSC 
• Edie Kelly, TSC
• Munsif Khan, TSC
• Steve Lalicker, TSC
• Kurt Schulz, TSC 
• Craig Shultz, SVMO-IIC 
• Linda Sullivan, TSC

Data Collectors  

• Judd Giezentanner, TSC  
• Murthi Guntakatta, Circuit Supervisor  
• F. A. Khan, TSC  
• Jeffrey Legg, Circuit Supervisor 
• Ghias Mughal, TSC  
• Ronald Nelson, Deputy District Manager   
• Kurt Schulz, TSC
• Steven Wolpert, SVMO-IIC  
• Muhammad Zia-Uddin, TSC 

Data Analysis and Report  Development 

• Manzoor Chaudry, TSC 
• Tom Doyle, TSC 
• Edie Kelly, Lead Writer, TSC
• Munsif Khan, TSC 
• Kurt Schulz, TSC 
• Craig Shultz, SVMO-IIC 
• Linda Sullivan, TSC 

Additional Participants

• Sally Balash, TSC 
• Wayne Burleson, NAFV
• Alfreda Emery, TSC 
• William Kelly, OPPDE 
• DuWayne Metz, TSC 
• Stephanie Mitchell, TSC 
• Bharat Patel, OPPDE 
• Mary Sutton, OPHS

Special thanks to Dr. Paul Thompson, Director, TSC, for supporting the project. 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM
UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS

VMO SURVEY— DGI #1 

PLANT PROFILE INFORMATION: 

1. Establishment code___________ 

2. Date of Visit ________________ 

Data Collectors: 

3. _________________________________________ 

4. _________________________________________ 

5. How many shifts in this plant?_________ 

6. What is the average daily slaughter rate? ________________ 

7. What percentage of high risk animals are slaughtered per day? _________ 

8. What is the average percent of dairy cows slaughtered? ______ 

9. What is the average percent of beef cows slaughtered? ______ 

10. Does the establishment slaughter any feedlot culls? YES NO 

11. How many FAST tests per day do you perform? ________ 
       a. Do you have adequate facilities, supplies and equipment to conduct FAST tests? YES NO

12. What percent of carcasses are retained for veterinary disposition (including those for residue testing)? _______________ 

13. How many downer animals has this establishment received in the last 30 days? {Data Collectors: Please check the appropriate category below} 

1. _____ Establishment does not accept downer animals
2. _____ None 
3. _____ 1-5 
4. _____ 6-10
5. _____ 11 or more 

14. Does the establishment have and use the appropriate equipment to move downer animals without dragging them? YES NO 

15. Have FSIS personnel at this establishment viewed the "For the Welfare of Livestock" CD-ROM? 

1. VMO                YES     NO 
2. Inspectors         YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know

16. Are FSIS personnel at this plant familiar with Temple Grandin's vocalization criteria, listed below, for evaluating humane handling of livestock? 

1. Vocalization response     YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know 
2. Slips and falls     YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know 
3. Electrical Prod Use     YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know 
4. Stunning efficacy     YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know 
5. Bleed Rail Insensibility     YES     NO     Some of them     Don't Know
6. Comments about the above: 

17. Number of assigned positions? 

1. VMO's _____ 
2. Inspectors _____ 

18. Number of filled positions? 

1. VMO's _____ 
2. Inspectors _____

19. Do you currently have access to Outlook? YES NO 

TSC CONTACT: 

20. Have you ever contacted the TSC for residue information? YES NO {If no, go to question 18.} 

If yes, what method did you use? 

1. Telephone     YES     NO 
2. E-Mail     YES     NO 
3. Fax     YES     NO 
4. Personal Visit     YES     NO

21. Did you have any difficulty accessing TSC personnel? YES NO 

1. If yes, please describe here.
2. Did you receive a prompt response?     YES     NO 

22. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rank your interaction with the TSC? (With 1 being not satisfied, and 10 being very satisfied.) ___________ 
        a. {NOTE TO DATA COLLECTORS: If you get a response of 1, 2 or 3, please ask for and record an explanation here.}

LAB RESULTS:

23. How quickly do you receive lab results from the time of sample submission? 

1. Under 2 weeks _____ 
2. 2-4 weeks _____
3. Greater than 4 weeks _____ 
4. Comments:

ROADBLOCKS: 

24. Do any of the following barriers interfere with your performance of residue testing? 

1. a. Staffing     YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
   1. Is this establishment fully staffed? YES     NO 
   2. If No, please describe the number of vacancies ________________ 
   3. If No, please describe what actions have been taken to fill the vacancies:
2. Rotation     YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
3. VMO training not adequate YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
4. Inspector training not adequate YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
5. Equipment not available YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
6. Equipment not functioning YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
7. Inadequate space YES     NO 
8. Supplies not available YES     NO     SOMETIMES
9. Supplies out of date YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
10. Supplies not in useable condition YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
11. Unable to secure samples YES     NO     SOMETIMES
12. Unable to secure retained carcasses YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
13. Environmental effects on the test YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    1. If yes, please explain 
14. Task interference (Other Duties) YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    1. (1) If yes, please explain
15. Prioritization of tasks YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
16. Frustration with the program YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    1. Carcasses condemned for other reasons YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    2. We never know what happens after the test YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    3. Lab is slow YES     NO     SOMETIMES
    4. Communication in general YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    5. Repercussions/threats/harassment by establishment YES     NO     SOMETIMES
    6. Lack of support from supervisors YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    7. Lack of cooperation from establishment (misinformation or lack of information about producers) YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    8. Too much work YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    9. Lack of communication on follow-up cases YES     NO     SOMETIMES
    10. High Volume of FSIS 26-99 animals YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    11. FDA does not effectively prosecute violators YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
17. Documenting NRs     YES     NO     SOMETIMES 
    1. Don't know how to use electronic NRs     YES     NO 
18. r. Are there any other barriers? YES     NO 
    1. If yes, please explain what they are.

GENERAL

25. Did the establishment include residues in their hazard analysis?     YES     NO 

26. Does the establishment address residues in their HACCP plan?     YES     NO 

27. What in-plant test( s) do you use? 

1. FAST 
2. STOP 

28. How would you prioritize these very important tasks? (With 1 being the most important— Emphasize there is NO correct answer.) 

1. Salmonella testing _____ 
2. Inspector breaks _____ 
3. HACCP procedures _____
4. Pathology dispositions _____ 
5. Residues _____ 
6. Working the line _____ 
7. SSOP _____ 
8. Carcass AQL _____ 
9. Offal checks _____ 
10. Generic E. Coli checks _____
11. Verifying humane handling/slaughter _____

 29. Is the establishment cooperative in providing traceback information?     YES     NO

30. What is the establishment's capacity to retain carcasses? 

31. Describe the criteria you use to select carcasses for residue testing at ante-mortem inspection.

32. Describe the criteria you use to select carcasses for residue testing at post-mortem inspection. {Note to Data Collectors: If they answer that they use FSIS Notice 26-99, probe for details.}

33. What recommendations do you have for improving residue testing in your plant? 

34. Do you utilize inspection or plant personnel to assist with residue testing?     YES     NO 

If yes, list the job title of the person utilized for each of the activities below that apply.   

1. Carcass selection for residue testing ____________________ 
2. Sample collection ____________________ 
3. Setting up the test ____________________ 
4. Reading the test ____________________ 
5. Security of samples ____________________ 
6. Disposition of carcasses ____________________ 
7. Ante-mortem animals selected for residue testing ____________

35. How much time, on an average day, do you spend doing all aspects of residue testing? (Please record in hours/minutes) __________________ 

36. Is the establishment doing any of their own residue sampling?     YES     NO 
        a. If yes, please describe.

37. Describe your training on conducting in-plant residue testing: 

1. OJT 
2. College Station courses (HRDS) 
3. Video 
4. Self-instructional guide
5. CBT 
6. TSC Pathology/Residue Correlation 
7. Other (Please describe)

38. Describe the training other inspection personnel assigned to this establishment have received on in-plant residue testing. 

39. Describe your Agency training on pathology: 

1. OJT 
2. College Station courses (HRDS)
3. Pathology correlations 
4. CBT 
5. Video 
6. Other (Please describe) 

40. If you have questions on pathology, do you submit samples for histopath to the lab?     YES     NO 

41. Do you receive a copy of the RVIS active case list from the district office: 

1. Monthly? YES     NO 
2. Quarterly? YES     NO
3. Other? YES     NO 
   1. Describe how often_____________________________

42. Do you get information related to residue violators from other districts? YES  NO
        a. If yes, please describe how.

43. What do you do if you do not have all necessary supplies to complete your residue tests?

44. Are you consistently able to obtain supplies when you order them?     YES     NO 
        a. If no, please describe the situation.

45. Do you have a copy of FSIS Notice 26-99?     YES     NO 

46. Are the line inspectors assigned at this establishment identifying injection lesions in the following locations? 

1. neck     YES     NO 
2. flank      YES     NO 
3. axillary      YES     NO 
4. intra uterine      YES     NO 
5. perineal      YES     NO 
6. Thoracic area      YES     NO 
7. Rear quarter      YES     NO 
8. Subcutaneous abdominal vein      YES     NO  
9. Other      YES     NO 
   1. Please describe.

47. Do plant personnel identify bolus during rumen harvest and notify inspection personnel?      YES     NO  

48. Do you mail FSIS Form 6600-7 to the Data Center and the Technical Service Center?      YES     NO 

49. a. if yes, at what frequency: (1) As completed _________ (2) Weekly _________ (3) Monthly _________ (4) Other (Please describe)

PROCEDURAL 

50. What reference( s) do you use for performing your in-plant residue test( s)?

1. None ______ 
2. FAST guide (color copy) ______
3. FAST guide (black and white copy) ______ 
4. FAST video ______ 
5. TSC ______
6. CBT ______ 
7. Other (Please describe)

51. What is your strategy for dealing with days in which you have a large volume of residue samples? {Note to data collector: Please indicate all mentioned} 

1. Don't run them _____ 
2. Run a small number _____ 
3. Store samples for later _____ 
4. Delegate responsibility to inspection personnel _____ 
5. Delegate responsibility to plant personnel _____ 
6. Take sample to a neighboring plant _____ 
7. Ensure all residue testing is accomplished _____ 
8. Other (Please describe)

52. Please describe all steps you follow in performing your residue test( s) from the point you have retained a carcass until the results are read. {Note to Data Collectors: Indicate which of the below steps are described to you. If any are not mentioned, probe to see if they would be included as well.} 

1. Retain carcass ____ 
2. Collect trace back information ____ 
3. Collect and identify tissue samples ____
4. Record initial data on report form ____ 
5. Prepare tissue swabs {Note for Data Collectors: Please probe for and record length of time!} ___________
6. Streak the plate ____ 
7. Identification of plate ____ 
8. Placement of N5 disk {Note to Data Collectors: Please probe for and record where it is placed} ___________ 
9. Incubate plates {Note to Data Collectors: Please probe for and record for how long} ___________
10. Verify growth of test organism ____ 
11. Verify presence of N5 zone of inhibition ____ 
12. Presence/absence of zone of inhibition around swabs ____ 
13. Interpret and record test results ____ 
14. Release carcass if results are negative ____ 
15. Submit samples to lab if results are positive ____ 
16. Complete and distribute the report form ____

53. Have you experienced any problems related to the FAST test not working as expected? (Please describe)

54. Have you ever correlated with inspection personnel on residue-associated gross pathology?     YES     NO 
        a. If Yes, please describe: 

55. Do you conduct residue testing on carcasses that have been condemned for septicemia, toxemia, pyemia, pneumonia, mastitis, pericarditis, and peritonitis?     YES     NO     Sometimes 
        a. If Sometimes, please describe:

56. What do you do if you have invalid test results for the day?

57. Did you receive the updated HACCP training packet?     YES     NO 

58. Is there any other information you want to provide regarding in-plant residue testing?

59. Additional data collector comments 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM
UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST— DGI #2 

Establishment code____________ 

{NOTE TO DATA COLLECTORS: Please collect the information below for all incubators and their thermometers used in this plant.}

1. Incubators

2. Thermometers 

3. Any other comments from the data collector? 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM
UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS 

SUPPLIES CHECKLIST— DGI #3 

Establishment code___________ 

1. Are the following available on the day of the visit? 

2. Data Collector comments. 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS 

FAST PROCEDURE CHECKLIST— DGI #4 

Establishment code____________

1. Retain carcass YES NO 

2. Collect traceback information— did they collect everything available (e. g. back tag, tattoo number, ear tag, any other ID)? YES NO 

3. Collect and identify tissue samples YES NO 

4. Record initial data on report form YES NO 

5. Prepare tissue swabs YES NO 

1. How long does tissue sit prior to preparing test? _____________________ 
2. If multiple carcasses are tested, are the kidneys commingled? YES NO N/A
3. What part of the kidney was the swab inserted into? _________________ 
4. Is the tissue macerated? YES NO 
5. How long is swab kept in the tissue? _____________________________ 

6. Streak the plate YES NO 

7. Identification of plate YES NO 

8. Placement of N5 disk YES NO 

1. Where is it placed? ________________________________ 

9. Incubate plates YES NO 

1. How long? ________________________________ 
2. If multiple plants, how was the incubator loaded? 
3. What was the temperature of the incubator during loading?____________ 

10. Verify growth of test organism YES NO 

11. Verify presence of N5 zone of inhibition YES NO 

12. Presence/absence of zone of inhibition surrounding swabs YES NO 

1. What technique was used to measure zone of inhibition?

13. Interpret and record test results YES NO 

14. Release carcass if results are negative YES NO 

15. Submit samples to lab if results are positive YES NO 

1. How was the sample prepared and submitted to the lab?

16. Complete and distribute the report form YES NO 

17. Data Collector comments. 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS

OBSERVATION OF HIGH RISK CARCASS SELECTION CHECKLIST— DGI #5

Establishment code____________

1. Please refer to FSIS 26-99 for descriptions of the following pathologies and conditions. Put a checkmark under VMO if the VMO observed the condition and performed an in-plant residue test. Put a checkmark under Data Collector if you observed the condition and would consider it appropriate to test as per FSIS Notice 26-99. {Note: You may end up with a checkmark in one column and not the other, checkmarks in both columns, or checkmarks in neither.) Please note any discrepancies in the space for comments.

2. Is there a procedure for carcass identification (including traceback) once the hide is removed? YES NO 

1. If yes, please describe. 

3. Is there a procedure for maintaining identity of carcass type (dairy versus beef)? YES NO

4. Does the establishment meet the requirements of 310.2 (collect back tags)? YES NO

5. DATA COLLECTORS: Please summarize your observations in this space. In general, is FSIS 26-99 being properly implemented? 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM UNIFORM APPLICATION IN CULL COW PLANTS

RECORDS REVIEW— DGI #6 

Establishment code____________ 

1. How many Noncompliance Reports (NR's) for humane handling violations has this establishment received in the past 12 months? _______________

1. What, if any, deficiencies were documented? 
   1. Facilities: 
   2. Handling: 
   3. Stunning:

(Data Collectors: Randomly select a minimum of three of each type of record listed below) 

2. FSIS Form 10,000-2:

1. Is a copy retained in the plant? YES NO 
2. Are they completely filled out? YES NO 
   1. If no, what is missing?
3. Are they properly filled out? YES NO 
   1. If no, please explain 

Prompts for data collector: 

• Look for in-plant test type 
• Species – beef or dairy 
• Tissue type— is it accurately annotated? 

3. FSIS Form 6600-7: 

1. Are they complete? YES NO 
   1. If no, what is missing?
2. Are they properly filled out? YES NO 
   1. If no, please explain

Prompts for data collector: 

• Is the complete retain tag number documented? 
• Is the back tag number completely documented?

4. Residue Violation Noncompliance Records: 

If no, ask VMO whether the establishment documented corrective actions on other records (HACCP record, memos or letters from establishment attached to the NR), and record the answers below:

(1) NR# 1 _________________________ 

(2) NR# 2 _________________________

(3) NR# 3 _________________________

5. Additional Data Collector comments. 

NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM UNIFORM APPLICATION IN COW CULL PLANTS

DISTRICT MANAGERS SURVEY— DGI #7 

{Selected from those districts in which the selected plants are located} 

District name and code______________________________

1. Are you aware of the District Office role in the residue program? YES NO {Data Collectors, please prompt— if necessary— for the following:}

1. Proper flow of information from TSC to field inspectors YES NO
2. Assistance in tracebacks YES NO 
3. Providing training to the field staff in conducting residue testing and procedures? YES NO
4. Providing information related to open case follow-up? YES NO 
5. Providing information to producers and establishments related to incoming animals for follow up testing? YES NO
6. Other {Please describe} 

2. What resources do you utilize for residue information? {Data Collectors, please prompt— if necessary— for the following:} 

1. TSC     YES NO 
2. Training Center (HRDS)     YES NO 
3. Epidemiologists     YES NO 
4. OPPDE     YES NO 
5. OPHS     YES NO 
6. Field Operations HQ     YES NO 
7. Compliance     YES NO 
8. Other {Please describe}

3. Who is the primary person responsible for residue work in your district (by title— no name)?

4. Is there anything the TSC can do that will facilitate your role related to residues?

5. What suggestions do you have for the Agency for improvement of uniform implementation of FSIS Notice 26-99?

For Further Information Contact:

• Media Inquiries: (202) 720-9113
• Congressional Inquiries: (202) 720-9113
• Constituent Inquiries: (202) 720-9113
• Consumer Inquiries: Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline; TTY: 1-800-256-7072.

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