1. PURPOSE
   This directive informs inspection program personnel (IPP) that FSIS will not bill establishments that process invasive wild-caught catfish under inspection that occurs outside of scheduled hours (i.e., overtime and holiday time). FSIS will continue to not bill establishments until Congressional funding is exhausted. This directive also provides IPP with information for states where invasive wild-caught catfish may be found and recording payroll time and attendance. This information was previously provided in FSIS Notice 11-21, Funding for Inspection of Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish Outside Hours of Operation, issued 3/11/2021.
2. BACKGROUND
   1. Congress allocated funds to FSIS to cover industry costs for inspections outside the regularly scheduled hours of operation for the processing of wild-caught invasive species of catfish (Siluriformes fish from the family Ictaluridae).  Based on a list of invasive species provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FSIS has determined that these fish are typically domestic species and labeled "Blue Catfish," "Channel Catfish," and "Flathead Catfish." FSIS also has identified the states where these catfish are considered invasive in the waterways and where there are federally inspected establishments that may process these wild-caught invasive catfish.
   2. The list of States with Federal establishments that may process invasive wild-caught catfish species can be found on the FSIS website at: Inspection of Siluriformes.
3. IPP RESPONSIBILITIES
   1. IPP assigned to establishments that process wild-caught catfish in the States listed in II.B. are to make establishment management aware of the content of this directive.
   2. If establishment management previously indicated that they process invasive wild-caught catfish and would like to discontinue processing invasive wild-caught catfish outside of normal operating hours, IPP are to document the response in the Weekly Meeting Memorandum of Interview (MOI) and inform the District Office (DO) of the establishment's decision. If establishment management wishes to continue, IPP do not need to send an MOI to the DO.
   3. If establishment management did not previously indicate that they process invasive wild-caught catfish and would like to operate outside of normal operating hours, IPP are to:
      1. Review the establishment's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) records to verify that the establishment processes wild-caught catfish;
      2. Determine if the establishment is processing wild-caught invasive species, if the establishment processes wild-caught catfish labeled as "Blue Catfish", "Channel Catfish", or "Flathead Catfish" in the State identified in II.B.;
      3. Document in an MOI that the establishment indicated they will process invasive wild-caught catfish and operate outside of normal operating hours and that the verification of establishment's HACCP records has been conducted; and
      4. Inform the DO of the establishment's eligibility.
4. DO RESPONSIBILITIES
   1. The DO is to inform Headquarters Office of Field Operations (OFO) of the establishments that process invasive wild-caught catfish with a change in eligibility. OFO headquarters is to inform the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) of these establishments. 
   2. IPP are to continue to record their time outside of scheduled hours (i.e., overtime and holiday time) to existing accounting codes, based on current procedures.
5. OCFO RESPONSIBILITIES
   OCFO is to ensure these establishments will not be billed for future overtime or holiday hours. 
6. QUESTIONS
   Refer questions regarding this directive to your supervisor or as needed to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935.  When submitting a question, complete the web form and select General Inspection Policy for the inquiry type. 

NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.