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According to final 2007 farm bill language that was passed
by both houses of Congress last week, a provision that would
allow some state-inspected processors with 25 or fewer employees
to ship product across state lines could still be 18 months
away.
Once the bill becomes law — it must still go to President
Bush and if vetoed be reapproved by Congress — USDA must
solicit public comment on the interstate commerce provisions,
including public meetings or hearings, then within 18 months
issue final regulations.
Other aspects of the provision include:
- USDA
must designate a federal employee as a state coordinator
for each state inspecting these plants to oversee enforcement,
training and inspection.
- The coordinator
must submit quarterly reports on the compliance status
of each selected establishment.
- If violations
occur, the coordinator must notify the secretary of agriculture
and deselect the establishment or suspend inspection.
- USDA's
inspector general must conduct an audit every two years
of each activity taken by the secretary to determine compliance
at these plants.
- Within
three to five years of enactment, the U.S. comptroller
general must audit the program
- Within
180 days of enactment, FSIS must implement an inspection
training division for outreach, education and training
for small and very small plants. FSIS has already announced
and launched this initiative.
The National
Cattlemen's Beef Association has championed the provision,
saying it will allow many small plants the opportunity to
grow their businesses and could increase local marketing options
for cattle producers.
The American Meat Institute, while lukewarm on the provision,
has said, "We do not oppose the measure as long as the same
food safety and marketing requirements apply. We believe it
is crafted to achieve that standard."
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