[Federal Register: August 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 163)]
[Notices]
[Page 54404-54405]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22au02-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 02-023N]
FSIS Security Guidelines for Food Processors; Notice of
Availability
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing
the availability of the Agency's current Security Guidelines for Food
Processors. These guidelines were developed to assist Federal- and
State-inspected plants that produce meat, poultry, and egg products in
identifying ways to strengthen their security plans to protect against
acts of bioterrorism. FSIS recognizes that Federal- and State-inspected
plants may also be aware of, and be adopting, security guidelines from
other government agencies, industry organizations, and private sector
experts. However, plants that do not have access to specialized
security planning advice should find these guidelines useful as they
develop and improve their food security plans.
These guidelines were designed and developed to meet the particular
needs of meat, poultry, and egg processing plants and to be easily
understood and readily adaptable by plant officials. While these
guidelines are voluntary, and plants may choose to adopt measures
suggested by many different sources, it is vital that all plants take
steps to assure the security of their operations. The guidelines are
available in both English and Spanish.
DATES: Submit written comments on the security guidelines to the FSIS
Docket Clerk no later than October 21, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the FSIS Security Guidelines are available from
the FSIS Docket Clerk, Room 102 Cotton Annex Building, 300 12th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. Copies also are available on the
Internet at: http:www.fsis.usda.gov/oppde/rdad/publications.htm. Send
all written comments on the proposed security guidelines to the above
address. All comments received will be considered part of the public
record and will be available for viewing in the Docket Room between
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Perfecto Santiago, Assistant
Deputy Administrator, Program Development Staff, Office of Policy,
Program Development and Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-3700; telephone
(202) 205-0699 or fax (202) 401-1760.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For nearly a century, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) has been protecting the Nation's food supply. Over
this long history, FSIS has worked to develop the infrastructure to
confront new food biosecurity challenges. FSIS has thousands of food
inspectors and veterinarians working in meat, poultry and egg product
plants every day, and at ports of entry to this country to prevent,
detect, and act in response to food safety emergencies.
In January 2002, President Bush signed into law the FY 2002 Defense
Appropriations Act, which includes $328 million in emergency funding
for the USDA to further protect the public by strengthening essential
programs and services related to biosecurity issues. FSIS will receive
$15 million for security upgrades and bioterrorism protection. Of that
amount, $10 million is allocated to conduct a food safety bioterrorism
protection program. This includes education and specialized training
for food safety regulatory and inspection personnel; technical
assistance for State, local and international food safety authorities;
a food biosecurity awareness campaign targeted to the general public
and regulated industries; and expanded FSIS laboratory capabilities to
test meat and poultry products for bacterial and chemical agents.
Physical security, cyber-security and telecommunications at government
facilities also will be strengthened.
FSIS recognizes that American food producers have a vested interest
in making biosecurity a priority. FSIS will continue to seek input from
stakeholders in developing guidance on biosecurity matters. To ensure
that the producers of meat, poultry, and egg products have access to
information to protect themselves, FSIS developed the guidelines. These
guidelines include measures food processing establishments may consider
for the prevention and handling of intentional acts of contamination.
The guidelines address the need for establishments to develop and
maintain food security plans that cover both inside and outside
security. The guidelines also include
[[Page 54405]]
security measures for slaughter and processing, storage, shipping and
receiving, water and ice supply, mail handling, and personnel.
FSIS is providing these guidelines to its field employees, who will
assist plants that seek further information or advice; however,
inspectors will not mandate adoption of any of the guidelines. The
Agency intends to continue working to enhance guidance to businesses
engaged in the production and distribution of regulated food and to
work with other agencies to provide additional guidance for
transportation, storage, and handling. The guidelines were developed as
a first step, but FSIS recognizes the need for food protection
guidelines from the ranch or farm to the consumer's table. FSIS invites
public comment to strengthen these steps as part of the Homeland
Security effort for the food and agricultural sectors.
Additional Public Notification
Public involvement in all segments of rulemaking and policy
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this
notice and informed about the mechanism for providing their comments,
FSIS will announce it and make copies of this Federal Register
publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS
provides a weekly FSIS Constituent Update, which is communicated via
Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service. In addition, the update
is available online through the FSIS web page located at http://
www.fsis.usda.gov. The update is used to provide information regarding
FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS
public meetings, recalls, and any other types of information that could
affect or would be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The
constituent Listserv consists of industry, trade, and farm groups,
consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific
professionals, and other individuals who have requested to be included.
Through the Listserv and web page, FSIS is able to provide information
to a much broader, more diverse audience.
For more information, contact the Congressional and Public Affairs
Office, at (202) 720-9113. To be added to the free e-mail subscription
service (Listserv), go to the ``Constituent Update'' page on the FSIS
web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update.htm. Click on the
``Subscribe to the Constituent Update Listserv'' link, then fill out
and submit the form.
Done in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2002.
William J. Hudnall,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-21376 Filed 8-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P