USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Extends Comment Period on Interstate Meat and Poultry Product Shipment Policy Rule

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has extended the comment period for the proposed rule on interstate meat and poultry product shipment until Dec. 16.  The proposed regulations will allow for a voluntary program under which State-inspected establishments with 25 or fewer employees will be eligible to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce. This is a directive of the 2008 Farm Bill and is one component of USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. Your comments are needed to make sure the new program has a positive impact on small producers and processors.  Please disseminate the announcement below to all interested parties.

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Comment Period Extended for Proposed Rule on Interstate Shipment
FSIS is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days for its proposed rule to allow interstate shipment of meat and poultry products produced in selected state-inspected establishments.

The proposed rule, Cooperative Inspection Programs: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products, was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 16.  The proposed rule is a result of the provision stated in the 2008 Farm Bill.

FSIS is now allowing interested parties until Dec. 16 to prepare and submit comments for the proposed rule.

All submissions received must reference docket number FSIS-2008-0039. The proposed rule is posted on the FSIS Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/ [1] 2009_Proposed_Rules_Index/index.asp.

Comments may also be sent to the Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705. Submissions can also be made through the Federal e-rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov [2].

The transcripts and audio files for the Oct. 27 and Nov. 5 interstate shipment teleconferences have been posted on the FSIS Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/ [3] past_events/index.asp.  You can also access the transcripts and other information via FSIS website: www.fsis.usda.gov [4], and click on News & Events, go to Past Events (2009).