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FSIS Solicits Bids For Food Safety and Defense Training For Spanish-Speaking Plant Owners and Operators
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Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS) is soliciting applications for cooperative agreements for a collaborative outreach program on
food safety and defense to assist Spanish-speaking small and very small plant owners and operators.
FSIS will award between $50,000 and $100,000 to one or more cooperative agreements this fiscal year. This
program will support operations that generally have fewer technical and financial resources than large facilities
which may be exacerbated when English is not the predominant language spoken by plant owners and operators.
The Spanish-speaking training and outreach program is intended to increase the knowledge of and compliance with
FSIS regulations while providing specialized assistance to this market segment. Enhanced outreach is an essential
component of the Agency's regulatory program and is one of six priorities outlined in the FSIS Strategic Plan
released this year.
In addition to food defense training, the program will address meat, poultry and processed egg product regulations,
policies and procedures. This program also will provide resources to plant operators in Spanish-speaking countries
with an interest in exporting products to the United States.
In 2005, FSIS began an initiative encouraging owners and operators to develop food defense plans in federally
inspected meat, poultry and processed egg product establishments. The Agency provided a number of model plans
and other resources to assist establishments in creating a food defense plan specific to their operations.
In March 2008, FSIS launched a new program area dedicated to providing outreach and training to small and very
small plant owners. The Office of Outreach, Education and Employee Training (OOEET) offers consolidated resources
and assistance to industry and FSIS employees. Small and very small plant owners and operators have access to a
wealth of resources on the FSIS Web site, through printed publications and recorded materials as well as by speaking
directly with Agency personnel.
Applications must be received by Aug. 11, 2008, and may be submitted through www.grants.gov,
or directly to FSIS by e-mail at mildred.rivera-betancort@fsis.usda.gov,
or by mail addressed to Mildred Rivera-Betancourt, U.S. Department of Agriculture, FSIS, OOEET/CFL/TOB, 210 Walnut
Street, Room 985, Des Moines, IA 50320. Application materials can be downloaded from the Government grants Web site at
www.grants.gov; click on "Find Grand Opportunities,"
then select "Basic Search" and type in "10.479" in the search by Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
field. Select "Food Safety Cooperation Agreements" and select "Application" to access the application for this
announcement.
For additional information contact Mildred Rivera-Betancourt, FSIS, Training and Operations Branch, by phone at
(515) 727-8987, by fax at (515) 727-8992, or by e-mail at the above address.
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Last Modified:
June 24, 2008 |
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