[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 19889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10603]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-023N]


HACCP Implementation for Small Plants

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding a 
public meeting to discuss ways to help owners and managers of small 
plants prepare for the HACCP implementation date of January 25, 1999. 
The meeting will give all stakeholders an opportunity to hear what is 
currently being done to help small plants and to discuss additional 
ways of ensuring that small plants receive the assistance they need to 
make the transition to HACCP.

DATES: The meeting will be held on May 7, 1998, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 14th and 
K Streets, NW, Washington, DC; telephone (202) 682-0111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To register for the meeting, contact 
Ms. Sheila Johnson of the Planning Staff, FSIS, at (202) 501-7138 or by 
FAX at (202) 501-7642. If a sign language interpreter or another 
special accommodation is required, please contact Ms. Johnson at (202) 
501-7138 by April 30, 1998.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 25, 1996, FSIS published a final 
rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems (61 FR 38806). The rule established a HACCP 
implementation schedule for establishments based on their size. Large 
plants began implementing HACCP on January 26, 1998. Medium to small 
plants have a scheduled implementation date of January 25, 1999, and 
very small plants are required to implement HACCP by January 25, 2000.
    Since publication of the final rule, FSIS has been holding a series 
of public meetings to facilitate implementation of HACCP plans, 
especially by small and very small establishments. The Agency also has 
provided extensive information and technical assistance that would be 
helpful to plant managers in development of their HACCP systems. The 
Agency also has developed and distributed generic HACCP models and 
guidance materials specifically to aid small plant managers.
    The May 7 meeting will include presentations on what assistance the 
Agency is currently providing and what additional help will be offered. 
There also will be a panel discussion on the role of the private sector 
and general discussion on what else can be done to assist small plants 
with HACCP implementation. The meeting is open to the public on a 
space-available basis.

    Done in Washington, DC, on April 15, 1998.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-10603 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am]
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