[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24275-24276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11299]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2018-0006]


Availability of FSIS Guideline for Determining Whether a 
Livestock Slaughter or Processing Firm Is Exempt From the Inspection 
Requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the availability of and requesting comments on a guideline for 
businesses that slaughter livestock or process meat and meat food 
products on the exemptions to the inspection requirements of the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act. The guideline explains each of the 
exemptions, when they apply, and which FSIS regulatory requirements 
must still be met.

DATES: Submit Comments on or before July 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: A downloadable version of the guideline is available to view 
and print at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/compliance-guides-index once copies of the 
guideline have been published.
    FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
guideline. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-
3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2018-0006. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta Wagner, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    FSIS is the public health regulatory agency responsible for 
ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and 
correctly labeled and packaged. For meat or meat food products, FSIS 
requires continuous inspection in the case of slaughter and at least 
daily inspection for processing, unless an exemption applies. The 
exemptions are located in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 
U.S.C. 623 and 661) and in FSIS's regulations (9 CFR 303.1).
    This guideline describes each of the exemptions, to whom they 
apply, and which FSIS regulatory requirements must still be met. It 
also provides updated information on emerging business models and 
trends in procurement, and sales, and distribution. Generally, 
livestock slaughtered or processed by the owner or that which is custom 
slaughtered for use by the owner and his or her family or non-paying 
guests are exempt from FSIS's inspection requirements. Also exempt from 
inspection are businesses that meet FSIS's definitions of retail 
stores, restaurants, restaurant central kitchens, or caterers.
    Businesses operating under an exemption are not exempt from the 
adulteration and misbranding requirements of the FMIA and may be 
subject to State or local regulatory requirements. FSIS regulations 
requiring recordkeeping, access to places of business, and the 
opportunity for examination of facilities, inventory, and records still 
apply.
    FSIS encourages interested parties (e.g., those to whom an 
exemption may apply) to follow this guideline. This guideline 
represents current FSIS thinking, and FSIS will update it as necessary 
to reflect comments received and any additional information that 
becomes available. FSIS is seeking comments on this guideline as part 
of its efforts to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of 
policy documents.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this publication available through 
the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that 
could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the 
web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:

[[Page 24276]]

    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done, at Washington, DC.
Paul Kiecker,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-11299 Filed 5-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P