Office news release, see bottom for how to comment.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_020706_01/index.asp

FSIS Establishes Fee-For-Service Program for Ante-Mortem Inspection of
Horses
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2006-The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced an interim final
rule establishing a voluntary fee-for-service program under which
establishments that slaughter horses can continue to receive ante-mortem
inspection.

To prevent adulterated meat and meat products from entering commerce,
the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) requires that FSIS inspection
program personnel conduct ante-mortem inspection of all livestock
(cattle sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules and other equines) before
they are allowed to enter any slaughtering facility. The FMIA also
requires that FSIS inspection program personnel conduct post-mortem
examination and inspection of the carcasses and meat from those animals,
as well as the establishments, to determine whether sanitary conditions
are being maintained. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA)
requires that humane methods be used for handling and slaughtering
livestock and that the Secretary of Agriculture assign inspectors to
examine these methods at facilities where livestock are slaughtered.

The FY 2006 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included a section prohibiting
the use of appropriated funds to pay the salaries or expenses of
personnel to inspect horses (ante-mortem inspection) after March 10.
Report language for the Act recognized FSIS's obligation under the law
to inspect horses.

While the appropriations bill prohibited appropriated funds from being
used to pay for ante-mortem inspection, it does not eliminate FSIS'
responsibility under the FMIA to carry out post-mortem inspection of
carcasses and meat at official establishments that slaughter horses. In
response to a petition, FSIS is establishing a fee-for-service program
under which establishments can apply and pay for ante-mortem inspection
of horses.

The interim final rule will become effective March 10, 2006. Comments on
the interim final rule must be received on or before March 9, 2006 and
must be sent to Docket Clerk, #05-036IF, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, S.W., Room 102
Cotton Annex, Washington, D.C., 20250. Comments can also be sent to:
fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov.

All comments submitted, as well as research and background information,
will be posted on the Agency's Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
2006_Interim_&_Final_Rules_Index/.
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Last Modified: February 7, 2006