 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Establishes Fee-For-Service Program for Ante-Mortem Inspection of Horses
|
|
|
|
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2006-The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced an interim final rule establishing a voluntary fee-for-service
program under which establishments that slaughter horses can continue to receive ante-mortem inspection.
To prevent adulterated meat and meat products from entering commerce, the Federal Meat Inspection Act
(FMIA) requires that FSIS inspection program personnel conduct ante-mortem inspection of all livestock
(cattle sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules and other equines) before they are allowed to enter any
slaughtering facility. The FMIA also requires that FSIS inspection program personnel conduct post-mortem
examination and inspection of the carcasses and meat from those animals, as well as the establishments,
to determine whether sanitary conditions are being maintained. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA)
requires that humane methods be used for handling and slaughtering livestock and that the Secretary of
Agriculture assign inspectors to examine these methods at facilities where livestock are slaughtered.
The FY 2006 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act included a section prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to pay the salaries or
expenses of personnel to inspect horses (ante-mortem inspection) after March 10. Report language for the
Act recognized FSIS's obligation under the law to inspect horses.
While the appropriations bill prohibited appropriated funds from being used to pay for
ante-mortem inspection, it does not eliminate FSIS' responsibility under the FMIA to carry out post-mortem
inspection of carcasses and meat at official establishments that slaughter horses. In response to
a petition, FSIS is establishing a fee-for-service program under which establishments can apply and pay
for ante-mortem inspection of horses.
The interim final rule will become effective March 10, 2006. Comments on the interim final rule must be
received on or before March 9, 2006 and must be sent to Docket Clerk, #05-036IF, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, S.W., Room 102 Cotton Annex,
Washington, D.C., 20250. Comments can also be sent to:
fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov.
All comments submitted, as well as research and background information, will be posted on the Agency's
Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106101204/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
2006_Interim_&_Final_Rules_Index/.
|
|
#
|
|
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106101204/http://www.fsis.usda.gov
|
Last Modified:
February 7, 2006 |
|
|
|
FSIS Advertisement Rotator
|
|
|
|
 |
