FSIS Constituent Update: March 22, 2002

Dr. Murano Testifies Before Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee

On March 20, Dr. Elsa Murano, Under Secretary for Food Safety, testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies on the President's FY 2003 budget request for USDA food safety activities. Dr. Merle Pierson, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, and Margaret Glavin, Acting FSIS Administrator, also testified before the Subcommittee. In her testimony, Dr. Murano presented her vision and goals for the future of food safety and inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products. FSIS’ budget request of $803.6 million, a net increase in appropriated funds of $28 million, will primarily provide funding for the 7,600 inspectors, veterinarians and other food safety officials who safeguard the nation’s meat and poultry supply.

Dr. Murano’s testimony is available on the FSIS web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/congress/testimony.htm.

NACMCF Subcommittee on Criteria for Refrigerated Shelf-life Based on Safety to Meet

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF) Subcommittee on Criteria for Refrigerated Shelf-life Based on Safety will meet April 2-3. The meeting will be held from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, Room 2B-047, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD. The charge to the committee and supplemental information on this subject can be accessed at the NACMCF web site under “reports” at www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/NACMCF.  There is no agenda as yet, but the discussion will follow the items listed in the charge to the committee.

The meeting is open to the public, but FDA security requires that anyone wishing to attend must register in advance with Ms. Karen Thomas, Advisory Committee Specialist, at 202-690-6620, or karen.thomas@fsis.usda.gov.  Parking is available, but must be requested in advance through Ms. Thomas.

Upcoming U.S. Codex Public Meeting

A public meeting has been scheduled to discuss items on the agenda of the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles, which will take place April 15-19, 2002 in Paris, France. Agenda items include working principles for risk analysis and code of ethics for international trade in foods.

The public meeting will be held March 26, 2002, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in Room 107A, Jamie E. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC.  For additional meeting information, contact the U.S. Codex Office at (202) 205-7760.  Access meeting information at: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/codex/new.htm

FSIS to Hold Training on HACCP-Based Inspection Models Project for Industry

FSIS has scheduled a HACCP-Based Inspection Models Project (HIMP) training class for industry, April 2–4 at Texas A&M, College Station, Texas. The training will include managerial responsibilities in a HIMP plant; HIMP tasks performed in a pilot plant; FSIS policies regarding carcass, verification and systems inspection; HIMP performance standards; and statistical process control. For more information on the training class, call Mark Reo, FSIS New Initiatives Staff, at (202) 205-0264.

Federal, State and Local Government Relations Program Information on the FSIS Web Site

The FSIS Federal, State and Local Government Relations (FSLGR) program staff have developed a home page on the FSIS web site. The web page includes information on the FSLGR mission, staff, cooperative programs, retail partnerships, and their FY 2001 farm-to-table food safety activities. Access the web page at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FSLGRS/

FSIS Updates Country Requirements for Russia in Export Library

On March 19, country requirements for Russia were updated in the Export Library on FSIS’ web site.  The web site lists country requirements for exporting meat and poultry products, U.S. plants approved for export, FSIS Directives and Notices, Export Notices, Frequently Asked Questions, and other export related information.  Access this information at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm

Federal Register Activity

• Final Rule--Docket No.01-045F—“Mandatory Inspection of Ratites and Squabs”

The final rule, which published in the Federal Register on March 22, affirms the interim final rule to make the slaughtering and processing of ratites and squabs subject to mandatory inspection. The interim final rule published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2001. The final rule is effective April 22, 2002.  For additional information, contact Robert Ragland, DVM, Acting Director, FSIS Inspection and Enforcement Standards Development Staff at (202) 720-3219.  Access the docket at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FinalRules02.htm

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