| Dr.
Jose R. Diez, Director, Western Region in Fort Collins CO
called me this afternoon to discuss the above memo. Accompanying
him in the conference call was Dr. Paul Sciglibaglio from
Helena, MT. I had previously asked Dr. Diez about the memo's
provision requiring an "EXCLUSIVE" office at all plants
at the Montana Livestock Association convention in Billings
last Sat am, Nov. 13.
Dr.
Diez was successful in obtaining a definitive answer to
the issue of whether small plants are required to provide
an "EXCLUSIVE" office for APHIS personnel. Dr. Diez stated
that APHIS has no intent to require small plants to remodel
for an office, and does not want plants to incur any expense
for such purposes. He also stated that Memo # 575.16 is
being rewritten to reflect this fact.
All
small plants owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Diez for not
only obtaining an answer to this vital question, but also
for sharing such information with the industry.
John
W. Munsell, President
Montana
Quality Foods & Processing
November
17, 2004 |
