CURRENT FSIS EMPLOYEES: Through the end of calendar year 2017, FSIS has Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and the authority to offer Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIPs) to certain individuals in the 1862 and 1863 series who are targeted by the agency and who otherwise meet all eligibility requirements. 

• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 7 Addendum (Aug 28, 2017)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 7 (Jul 31, 2017)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 3 Addendum (Amended Apr 26, 2016)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 3 Addendum (Mar 21, 2016)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 3 (Feb 26, 2016)
• VERA VSIP User Notice - NPIS WAVE 2 (Dec 23, 2015)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 1 (Aug 25, 2015)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – NPIS WAVE 0 | AMENDMENT (Jul 31, 2015)
• All-Employee Memo (PDF Only)
• Information Package, Including Application Forms (PDF Only)
• VERA VSIP User Notice – Town Hall Conference Calls – August 14, 2015
• Presentation - VERA/VSIP Town Hall Meetings

Industry Questions and Answers NPIS (Nov 17, 2014)
Access responses to questions already received.

Additional questions about Poultry Slaughter Inspection can be sent to askFSIS@fsis.usda.gov.

Guidance Resources

• FSIS Compliance Guideline: Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Microbiological Sampling of Raw Poultry
  This guidance document is designed to help small and very small poultry slaughter establishments comply with the new microbiological sampling and analysis requirements that apply to all official poultry slaughter establishments, except for establishments that slaughter ratites.
  • View/Submit Comments via regulations.gov
    
• Docket No. FSIS-2011-0012 | PDF (Aug 21, 2014)
  • Related Documents:
    • Compliance Guideline for Training Establishment Carcass Sorters in the New Poultry Inspection System
    • Poultry Slaughter Modernization FAQs
    • Scheduling of Plants for New Poultry Inspection System Implementation
    • Poultry Slaughter Inspection Infographic
• Docket No. FSIS 2011-0012 | PDF (Apr 26, 2012)
  Extension of Comment Period
• Proposed Rule: Docket No. FSIS-2011-0012 | PDF (Jan 27, 2012)
  • Related Document: On-Line and Off-Line Reprocessing In-Plant Trial Data Analysis (2012; PDF Only)
  • View Comments on regulations.gov

News and Events

• USDA Announces Additional Food Safety Requirements, New Inspection System for Poultry Products (Jul 31, 2014)
• USDA Blog - Extending the Public Comment Period for USDA's Proposal to Modernize Poultry Slaughter (Apr 19, 2012)
• Constituent Update, Special Alert (Apr 19, 2012)
  Comment Period Extended for Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Proposed Rule
• Setting the Record Straight on the Proposed Chicken Inspection Policy (Apr 13, 2012)
• News Release - USDA Seeks to Modernize Poultry Inspection in the United States (Jan 20, 2012)
• National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
  Public Meeting on Proposed Rule on the Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
  • PowerPoint Presentation - Overview of the Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Proposed Rule Published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2012 | PDF

Risk Assessments

• FSIS Risk Assessment for Guiding Public Health-Based Poultry Slaughter Inspection (Jul 30, 2014; PDF Only)
• FSIS Risk Assessment for Guiding Public Health-Based Poultry Slaughter Inspection (updated Aug 2012; PDF)
  • FSIS Risk Assessment for Guiding Public Health-Based Poultry Slaughter Inspection (Nov 2011; PDF Only)
    • Executive Summary Quantitative Risk Assessment - Food Safety Improvements of Proposed Poultry Slaughter Rule (PDF Only)
    • Reply to Peer Review Comments for FSIS Risk Assessment for Guiding Public Health Risk-Based Poultry Slaughter Inspection (Jan 2008; PDF Only)

• Evaluation of HACCP Inspection Models Project (HIMP) (Aug 2011; PDF Only)

New Technologies
FSIS reviews new technologies that companies employ to ensure that their use is consistent with Agency regulations and will not adversely affect product safety, inspection procedures, or the safety of FSIS inspectors.