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DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION |
NUMBER: 1042-061 |
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SUBJECT: National
Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection |
DATE: July 25, 2007 |
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OPI: Food
Safety and Inspection Service |
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1. PURPOSE
a. The purpose of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), as amended, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), as amended, is to protect the public from consuming adulterated and misbranded meat, meat food product, poultry, poultry products, and egg products. The FMIA and PPIA provide for this purpose to be achieved by Federal and State meat and poultry inspection programs. The Secretary hereby renews the Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (Committee).
b. The Secretary is authorized to cooperate with appropriate State agencies in developing and administering effective State meat and poultry inspection programs and other activities by section 301(a) (1)-(3) of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 661(a) (1)-(3))and section 5 (a) (1)-(3) of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 454(a) (1)- (3)).
c. The Secretary is required to consult with an advisory committee or committees authorized under section 301(a) (4) of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 661(a) (4)) to carry out the responsibilities imposed by sections 7(c), 24, 205, 301(a) (3), and 301(c) of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 607(c), 624, 645, 661(a) (3), and 661(c)), and authorized under section 5(s) (4) of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 454 (a) (4) to carry out the responsibilities imposed by sections 5(a) (3), 5(c), 8(b), and 11(e) of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 454(a) (3), 454(c), 457(b), and 460(e)).
d. This renewal of the charter for the Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection is in the public interest in connection with the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary by law.
2. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
a. This charter will expire two years from the date of filing.
b. Departmental Regulation Number 1042-61 dated March 16, 2005 is hereby superseded.
c. This Department Regulation is the Charter for the Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.
3. OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP
a. The Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) serves as the Chairperson of the Committee. The Chairperson may call or approve the calling of the Committee meetings, develop or approve the agenda for Committee meetings, and adjourn Committee meetings.
b. A representative of FSIS serves as the Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary, in the absence of the Chairperson or upon the delegation of authority by the Chairperson, may develop or approve the agenda for Committee meetings, and adjourn Committee meetings.
c. To assure a balance of differing views and expertise, the membership shall be drawn from representatives of State and local governments, industry and trade associations, the scientific and academic communities, and consumer organizations, and shall be composed of 16 to18 individuals with diverse capabilities distinguished by their knowledge and interest in meat and poultry inspection and other FSIS responsibilities. Members will serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
d. Equal opportunity practices, in accordance with USDA policies, shall be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership should include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
4. DUTIES
a. The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee shall advise the Secretary concerning State and Federal programs with respect to meat, poultry, and egg product inspection and other matters.
b. The duties also include advising the Secretary regarding the responsibilities imposed by sections 7(c), 24, 205, 301(a) (3), and 301(c) of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 607 (c), 624, 645, 661 (a) (3), and 661 (c) and 5(a) (3), 5(c) (3), 5(c), 8(b), and11(e) of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 454(a) (3), 454(c), 457(b), and 460 (e)).
c. The duties of the Committee may also include advising the Secretary on other matters which fall within the scope of the FMIA and PPIA.
5. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS
Members shall serve without pay if they are not officers or employees of the Federal Government. Reimbursement will be provided to members for their travel and per diem. Annual operating costs are estimated to be $67,000 and staff year requirements are estimated to be 2.0 staff years.
6. NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
It is estimated that the Committee will meet two times per year. All meetings shall be open to the public. Subcommittees may meet more frequently.
7. SUPPORT
Support to the Committee is provided by FSIS.
8. REPORTS
The Committee reports to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Under Secretary for Food Safety.