[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 153 (Monday, August 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42608-42609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21362]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-047N]


Meeting: The Food Safety Regulatory Workforce of the Future

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 solicit comment and to discuss the workforce of the 
future for the regulation of meat, poultry, and egg products. The 
Agency's food safety program continues to change to reflect an 
increased focus on food safety beyond slaughtering and processing 
plants. In all likelihood, there will be major changes in the 
regulatory program of the future and in the workforce needed to achieve 
improved food safety. As FSIS considers its long-range objectives and 
strategic plans for the future, it would like the views and 
recommendations of the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on August 14, 1998, from 9:00 a.m. to 
3:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 
Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 842-1300. To 
register

[[Page 42609]]

for the meeting, contact Ms. Jennifer Callahan of the FSIS Planning 
Staff at (202) 501-7138 of by FAX at (202) 501-7642. Persons requiring 
a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation should 
contact Ms. Callahan at the above numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and 
Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP Systems) final rule was published on 
July 25, 1996. The rule calls for the development of a comprehensive 
HACCP-based farm-to-table food safety system. The rule requires 
implementation of HACCP systems in all meat and poultry establishments 
to reduce the risk of foodborne disease. In addition, the rule requires 
that each establishment develop and implement written sanitation 
standard operating procedures (SOPs), that slaughter establishments 
conduct regular microbial testing, and that slaughter establishments 
and establishments producing raw ground products meet pathogen 
reduction performance standards for Salmonella.
    The sanitation SOPs and the E. coli process control regulations 
went into effect on January 27, 1997. The Salmonella pathogen reduction 
performance standards requirements will be applicable simultaneously 
with HACCP implementation dates. Large plants implemented HACCP systems 
in January 1998, and small plants will begin implementing HACCP in 
January 1999. The deadline for very small establishments, those with 
fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million, is 
January 2000.
    Other changes are being considered for implementation in the 
future. FSIS plans to test alternative modes of conducting inspection, 
employing new validated pathogen reduction intervention technologies, 
and identifying other consumer protection activities to achieve a 
higher degree of food safety from farm to table. The Agency also is 
evaluating its human resources to determine new skills its dedicated 
workforce will need in the future and the type of training that will be 
required for its employees.
    The meeting is open to the public. FSIS is interested in receiving 
comments and recommendations from all of its stakeholders on the nature 
and scope of the of food safety regulatory system for the future.

    Done in Washington, DC, on August 4, 1998.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-21362 Filed 8-7-98; 8:45 am]
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