[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 2, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12122-12127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03609]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
9 CFR Parts 307, 350, 352, 354, 362, 381, 533, 590, and 592
[Docket No. FSIS-2020-0019]
RIN 0583-AD86
Internet Access at Official Establishments and Plants
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to
amend its regulations to require official meat and poultry
establishments and egg products plants and businesses receiving
voluntary inspection services from FSIS that have an internet
connection to provide FSIS access to it for the purposes of conducting
and recording inspection verification activities. FSIS views internet
service as a necessary utility, like lighting, heating, and laundry
services, that should be provided by establishments as a regulatory
condition of receiving inspection. Under this proposal, FSIS would not
require establishments without internet access to purchase it or to
upgrade the internet services they have, if inadequate for FSIS use.
DATES: Submit comments on or before May 3, 2021.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on the
proposed rule. 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, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E,
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2020-0019. 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, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone:
(202) 720-0399.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of
the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53) as specified in the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.) and the Egg Products
Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). These statutes mandate
that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg
products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and
packaged. In
[[Page 12123]]
addition to mandatory inspection, the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA),
7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624, provides for inspection services to accommodate
business needs, such as obtaining certifications necessary to meet
requirements of importing countries or the inspection of nonamenable
products (voluntary reimbursable services). This includes the voluntary
service activities related to export certification (9 CFR part 350),
voluntary inspection of exotic animals (e.g., antelope, bison) (9 CFR
part 352), voluntary inspection of rabbits (9 CFR part 354), voluntary
poultry inspection (9 CFR part 362), and the voluntary inspection of
egg products (9 CFR part 592).
FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP) need to have efficient
internet access to receive their scheduled inspection tasks and to
record the results of the inspection tasks in the FSIS Public Health
Information System (PHIS). PHIS is a web-based software application
that integrates and streamlines all scheduling, assigning, tracking,
and documentation for mission required FSIS food safety functions such
as import management, export management, domestic production
inspections, and risk analysis. FSIS employees, representatives of
countries with whom the United States maintains an import and export
relationship, and meat, poultry, and egg products establishments, which
are subject to inspection, may all use PHIS. PHIS replaced several
legacy client-server applications, multiple automated paper, and email-
based processes.
For example, PHIS:
Contains the establishment profile data for both official
and non-official establishments that is used not only by IPP to perform
their verification activities but also by other FSIS program areas to
schedule laboratory sampling, inform policy decisions, and allocate
resources.
Contains slaughter totals and animal disposition
information for amenable and exotic species, as entered by IPP. This
data is used by FSIS and other USDA agencies (e.g., the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service) to inform policy decisions, track
emerging disease trends, and allocate resources.
Contains inspection results and provides IPP the ability
to issue non-compliance records to address regulatory violations at
official and non-official establishments.
Allows IPP to request sampling supplies and receive
laboratory sample results.
Provides for IPP review and approval of electronic import
applications in the PHIS import management component, as well as
electronic export applications for shipments destined to countries
included in the PHIS export component.
The regulations at 9 CFR 307.1, 381.36(a), and 533.3 require
official meat, poultry, and Siluriformes fish establishments to provide
FSIS IPP with office space, including necessary furnishings, light,
heat, and janitor services, rent free, for their exclusive use for
official purposes. These regulations state that, at the discretion of
the Administrator, small establishments requiring less than one full-
time inspector need not furnish such facilities. The regulations at
590.136(a) similarly state that egg products plants will furnish office
space, including furnishings, light, heat, and janitor service, without
cost, for the use of IPP for official purposes. These regulations also
provide that, at the discretion of the Administrator, small plants
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not
furnish such accommodations.
The United States bears the cost of providing mandatory inspection
services to official establishments (21 U.S.C. 468, 695, 1053(a)),
while establishments and other facilities receiving voluntary
inspection services must pay for such services. FSIS regulations
governing the voluntary inspection of rabbits and egg products (e.g.,
inspection of the processing in official plants of products containing
eggs, sampling of products and quantity and condition inspection of
products) require that facilities purchasing such inspection services
provide office space and utilities for use by IPP. Specifically, the
regulations at 9 CFR 354.221(g) require facilities receiving voluntary
rabbit inspection to provide IPP with office space, including, but not
limited to, light, heat, and janitor services, without cost to the
Agency. And, the regulations at 9 CFR 592.95(b)require facilities
receiving voluntary inspection of egg products to provide IPP with
acceptable furnished office space and equipment, including, but not
limited to, a desk, lockers, or cabinets.
Establishments and other facilities that purchase other types of
voluntary services under 9 CFR 350.7(a), 352.5(a), 362.5(a), including
identification services, certification services, and voluntary
inspection services may be charged to cover the cost of ``other
expenses'' incurred by the Agency in connection with the furnishing of
inspection. FSIS considers internet access to be an expense necessary
for the provision of these voluntary inspection services.
As such, because internet access is a utility or expense necessary
for the provision of both mandatory and voluntary inspection services,
FSIS is proposing to require that establishments receiving mandatory
inspection or purchasing voluntary inspection services provide internet
access to IPP, as a condition of receiving inspection, provided the
establishment already has internet service adequate for FSIS needs.
Again, FSIS would not require establishments or facilities without
internet access to purchase it or to upgrade the internet services they
have, if inadequate for FSIS use.
Proposed Rule
FSIS is proposing to amend sections 9 CFR 307.1, 350.7(d),
352.5(d), 354.221(g), 362.5(d), 381.36(a), 533.3, 590.136(a), and
592.95(b) to require official meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish
establishments and egg products plants, as well as facilities receiving
voluntary services, including identification services, export
certification, and voluntary exotic animal and poultry inspection, that
have internet services, to provide FSIS IPP with internet access for
the purposes of conducting and recording inspection verification
activities. Consistent with the regulations providing that small
establishments requiring less than one full-time inspector need not
furnish FSIS with office space, lighting, heat, janitor services, and
lockers, under this proposal, FSIS would not require establishments or
facilities without internet access to purchase it or to upgrade the
internet services they have, if inadequate for FSIS use.
In addition, FSIS is proposing to update 9 CFR 307.1 and 381.36(a)
to change the title of the FSIS approving officials to Frontline
Supervisors because FSIS no longer uses the title Circuit Supervisors.
FSIS also proposes to change the use of the word ``shall'' to ``must''
in 9 CFR 307.1 and 381.36(a).
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, 12988, and the Regulatory Flexibility
Act
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O.
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits,
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
This proposed rule has been
[[Page 12124]]
designated as a ``non-significant'' regulatory action under section
3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly, the rule has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
If this rule is finalized, FSIS does not expect any additional
industry or Agency costs, because FSIS would not require establishments
without internet access to purchase the services or to upgrade services
that are not adequate for FSIS's use. FSIS would have cost savings by
reducing the costs of providing internet access to FSIS IPP at
establishments.
Expected Benefits of the Proposed Rule
Internet connectivity benefits establishments and FSIS by
facilitating FSIS verification activities. Internet access lets FSIS
IPP more efficiently transmit or receive critical information (e.g.,
receiving information on test results, submitting data on establishment
operations, updating establishment profile information, and
facilitating global trade).
FSIS would benefit through reduced payments for internet
connection. FSIS spends on average $6.6 million \1\ annually providing
IPP with various forms of internet connection, such as direct or
wireless local area network (LAN), and wireless solutions at
approximately 1,500 establishments as well as additional mobile
wireless solutions for IPP on patrol assignments. Of the approximate
6,500 active establishments, FSIS estimates that approximately 6,000 to
6,300 establishments have email addresses,\2\ which we assume means
that these establishments have internet connection. The Agency is
seeking comment on the level of internet connectivity at establishments
that currently maintain internet services. If the Agency is able to use
internet provided by these establishments, it would result in an upper
bound savings of $6.6 million annualized at the 7 percent discount rate
over ten years.
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\1\ This is the average cost calculated using the FSIS Office of
Chief Information Officer estimates of annual expenditures on
internet services: $6,272,000 in 2017, $6,755,000 in 2018, and
$6,755,000 in 2019.
\2\ The count of establishments, rounded to the nearest hundred,
with email addresses was compiled from the Office of Public Affairs
and Consumer Education on 5/15/2020. The count of active
establishments includes approximately 1,100 eligible importer/
exporter establishments and approximately 2,000 establishments that
have voluntary inspection eligibility. Data was downloaded from the
FSIS Public Health Information System on 8/14/2020.
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Expected Costs of the Proposed Rule
FSIS expects any cost associated with this proposed rule to be de
minimis. Since most establishments have email addresses, FSIS expects
most establishments to have internet connectivity adequate for FSIS
needs. Such establishments would likely be able to provide internet
service to FSIS without a significant burden or additional costs to do
so. FSIS requests comments on the number and types of establishments or
facilities receiving mandatory or purchasing voluntary inspection
services that do not purchase internet services at all, do not purchase
internet services adequate for FSIS needs, or could not provide IPP
access to internet services without accruing significant costs, as well
as any cost estimates for providing IPP with access to the
establishment's existing internet services.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Assessment
The FSIS Administrator has made a preliminary determination that
this proposed rule, if finalized, would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities in the United States,
as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601), because
any costs associated with the rule would be de minimis. FSIS would only
require small businesses to provide internet access to FSIS IPP if the
business has internet service and it's adequate for FSIS's use by IPP.
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,
Civil Justice Reform. Under this rule: (1) All State and local laws and
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2)
no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) no
administrative proceedings will be required before parties may file
suit in court challenging this rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act
There are no new paperwork or recordkeeping requirements associated
with this proposed rule under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Environmental Impact
Each USDA agency is required to comply with 7 CFR part 1b of the
Departmental regulations, which supplements the National Environmental
Policy Act regulations published by the Council on Environmental
Quality. Under these regulations, actions of certain USDA agencies and
agency units are categorically excluded from the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) unless the agency head determines that a particular action may
have a significant environmental effect (7 CFR 1b.4(a)). FSIS is among
the agencies categorically excluded from the preparation of an EA or
EIS (7 CFR 1b.4(b)(6)).
FSIS has determined that this proposed rule would not create any
extraordinary circumstances that would result in this normally excluded
action having a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore,
this action is appropriately subject to the categorical exclusion for
FSIS programs and activities under 7 CFR 1b.4.
E-Government Act
FSIS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to
achieving the purposes of the E-Government Act (44 U.S.C. 3601, et
seq.) by, among other things, promoting the use of the internet and
other information technologies and providing increased opportunities
for citizen access to Government information and services, and for
other purposes.
Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act at 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.,
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that
this proposed rule is not a ``major rule,'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
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 Constituent 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,
[[Page 12125]]
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:
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).
List of Subjects
9 CFR Part 307
Government employees, Meat inspection.
9 CFR Part 350
Meat inspection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
9 CFR Part 352
Food labeling, Meat inspection, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
9 CFR Part 354
Administrative practice and procedure, Animal diseases, Food
labeling, Meat inspection, Rabbits and rabbit products, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Signs and symbols.
9 CFR Part 362
Meat inspection, Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
9 CFR Part 381
Administrative practice and procedure, Animal diseases, Crime,
Exports, Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Food packaging,
Government employees, Grant programs--agriculture, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Laboratories, Meat inspection, Nutrition,
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), Poultry and poultry products,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seizures and forfeitures,
Signs and symbols, Technical assistance, Transportation.
9 CFR Part 533
Fish, Food grades and standards, Government employees, Public
health, Seafood.
9 CFR Part 590
Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food grades and standards, Food
labeling, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
9 CFR Part 592
Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food grades and standards, Food
labeling, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, FSIS is proposing to amend
9 CFR Chapter III as follows:
PART 307--FACILITIES FOR INSPECTION
0
1. The authority citation for part 307 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 394, 21 U.S.C. 601-695; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.55.
0
2. Revise Sec. 307.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 307.1 Facilities for Program employees.
Office space, including necessary furnishings, light, internet
access, heat, and janitor service, must be provided by official
establishments, rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes
of the inspector and other Program employees assigned thereto. The
space set aside for this purpose must meet with approval of the
Frontline Supervisors and must be conveniently located, properly
ventilated and provided with lockers suitable for the protection and
storage of Program supplies and with facilities suitable for Program
employees to change clothing if such clothes changing facilities are
deemed necessary by FSIS. At the discretion of the Administrator, small
plants requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need
not furnish facilities as prescribed in this section, where adequate
facilities exist in a nearby convenient location. Laundry service for
inspectors' outer work clothing must be provided by each establishment.
Establishments that lack internet services are not required to purchase
internet services for use by FSIS and establishments with internet
services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to upgrade such
services.
PART 350--SPECIAL SERVICES RELATING TO MEAT AND OTHER PRODUCTS
0
3. The authority citation for part 350 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.55.
0
4. In Sec. 350.7, revise the section heading and add paragraph (h) to
read as follows:
Sec. 350.7 Fees, charges, and Internet access.
* * * * *
(h) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service,
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.
PART 352--EXOTIC ANIMALS AND HORSES; VOLUNTARY INSPECTION
0
5. The authority citation for part 352 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17(g) and (i), 2.55.
0
6. In Sec. 352.5, revise the section heading and add paragraph (f) to
read as follows:
Sec. 352.5 Fees, charges and Internet access.
* * * * *
(f) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service,
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.
[[Page 12126]]
PART 354--VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF RABBITS AND EDIBLE PRODUCTS
THEREOF
0
7. The authority citation for part 354 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17(g) and (i), 2.55.
0
8. Revise Sec. 354.221(g) to read as follows:
Sec. 354.221 Rooms and compartments.
* * * * *
(g) Inspector's office. Furnished office space, including, but not
being limited to, light, heat, internet access, and janitor service
shall be provided rent free in the official plant for the exclusive use
for official purposes of the inspector and the Administration. The room
or rooms set apart for this purpose must meet with the approval of the
Frontline Supervisor and be conveniently located, properly ventilated,
and provided with lockers or cabinets suitable for the protection and
storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to
change clothing. Facilities that lack internet services are not
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS, and facilities
with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to
upgrade such services.
PART 362--VOLUNTARY POULTRY INSPECTION REGULATIONS
0
9. The authority citation for part 362 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 CFR 2.18(g) and (i), 2.53.
0
10. In Sec. 362.5, revise the section heading and add paragraph (h) to
read as follows:
Sec. 362.5 Fees, charges, and Internet access.
* * * * *
(h) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service,
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.
PART 381--POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS
0
11. The authority citation for part 381 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 1901-1906; 21 U.S.C. 451-472; 7 CFR
2.18, 2.53.
0
12. Revise Sec. 381.36(a) to read as follows:
Sec. 381.36 Facilities required.
(a) Inspector's Office. Office space, including, but not being
limited to furnishings, light, internet access, heat, and janitor
service, must be provided rent free in the official establishment, for
the use of Government personnel for official purposes. The room or
space set apart for this purpose must meet the approval of Frontline
Supervisors and be conveniently located, properly ventilated, and
provided with lockers or file cabinets suitable for the protection and
storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to
change clothing. At the discretion of the Administrator, small plants
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not
furnish facilities as prescribed in this section, where adequate
facilities exist in a nearby convenient location. Each official
establishment must provide commercial laundry service for inspectors'
outer work clothing, or disposable outer work garments designed for
one-time use, or uniform rental service garments which are laundered by
the rental service. Establishments that lack internet services are not
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS and
establishments with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are
not required to upgrade such services.
* * * * *
PART 533--SEPARATION OF ESTABLISHMENT; FACILITIES FOR INSPECTION;
FACILITIES FOR PROGRAM EMPLOYEES; OTHER REQUIRED FACILITIES
0
13. The authority citation for part 533 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601-602, 606-622, 624-695; 7 CFR 2.7,
2.18, 2.53.
0
14. Revise Sec. 533.3 to read as follows:
Sec. 533.3 Facilities for Program employees.
Office space, including necessary furnishings, light, internet
access, heat, and janitor service, must be provided by official
establishments, rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes
of the inspector and other Program employees assigned thereto. The
space set aside for this purpose shall meet with approval of the
District Manager or the frontline supervisor and must be conveniently
located, properly ventilated, and provided with lockers suitable for
the protection and storage of Program supplies and with facilities
suitable for Program employees to change clothing if such facilities
are deemed necessary by the frontline supervisor. At the discretion of
the Administrator, small establishments requiring the services of less
than one full-time inspector need not furnish facilities for Program
employees as prescribed in this section, where adequate facilities
exist in a nearby convenient location. Laundry service for inspectors'
outer work clothing must be provided by each establishment.
Establishments that lack internet services are not required to purchase
internet services for use by FSIS and establishments with internet
services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to upgrade such
services.
PART 590--INSPECTION OF EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS (EGG PRODUCTS
INSPECTION ACT)
0
15. The authority citation for part 590 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 1031-1056; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53.
0
16. Revise Sec. 590.136(a) to read as follows:
Sec. 590.136 Accommodations and equipment to be furnished by
facilities for use of inspection program personnel in performing
service.
(a) Inspection program personnel office. Office space, including,
but not limited to, furnishings, light, heat, internet access, and
janitor service, will be provided without cost in the official plant
for the use of inspection program personnel for official purposes. The
room or space set apart for this purpose must meet the approval of the
Food Safety and Inspection Service and be conveniently located,
properly ventilated, and provided with lockers or file cabinets
suitable for the protection and storage of supplies and with
accommodations suitable for inspection program personnel to change
clothing. At the discretion of the Administrator, small official plants
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not
furnish accommodations for inspection program personnel as prescribed
in this section where adequate accommodations exist in a nearby
convenient location. Plants that lack internet services are not
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS, and plants with
internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to
upgrade such services.
* * * * *
PART 592--VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF EGG PRODUCTS
0
17. The authority citation for part 592 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
[[Page 12127]]
0
18. Revise Sec. 592.95(b) to read as follows:
Sec. 592.95 Facilities and equipment to be furnished for use of
inspection program personnel in performing service.
* * * * *
(b) Acceptable furnished office space and equipment, including but
not being limited to, internet access, a desk, lockers or cabinets
(equipped with a satisfactory locking device) suitable for the
protection and storage of supplies, and with facilities for inspection
program personnel to change clothing. Facilities that lack internet
services are not required to purchase internet services for use by
FSIS, and facilities with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS
are not required to upgrade such services.
Done at Washington, DC.
Theresa Nintemann,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-03609 Filed 3-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P