Availability of FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock, 64470-64471 [2013-25373]

Download as PDF 64470 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 29, 2013 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES and served under such arrangement, (8) in the case of women and children temporarily residing in public or private nonprofit shelters for battered women and children, meals prepared and served, by such shelters, and (9) in the case of households that do not reside in permanent dwellings and households that have no fixed mailing addresses, meals prepared for and served by a public or private nonprofit establishment (approved by an appropriate State or local agency) that feeds such individuals and by private establishments that contract with the appropriate agency of the State to offer meals for such individuals at concessional prices. (r)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), ‘‘staple foods’’ means foods in the following categories: (A) Meat, poultry, or fish. (B) Bread or cereals. (C) Vegetables or fruits. (D) Dairy products. (2) ‘‘Staple foods’’ do not include accessory food items, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and un-carbonated drinks, candy, condiments, and spices. 7 CFR Part 271 General Information and Definitions: Staple food means those food items intended for home preparation and consumption in each of the following food categories: Meat, poultry, or fish; bread or cereals; vegetables or fruits; and dairy products. Commercially processed foods and prepared mixtures with multiple ingredients shall only be counted in one staple food category. For example, foods such as cold pizza, macaroni and cheese, multi-ingredient soup, or frozen dinners, shall only be counted as one staple food item and will normally be included in the staple food category of the main ingredient as determined by FNS. Hot foods are not eligible for purchase with food stamps and, therefore, do not qualify as staple foods for the purpose of determining eligibility under § 278.1(b)(1) of this chapter. Accessory food items including, but not limited to, coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and un-carbonated drinks, candy, condiments, and spices shall not be considered staple foods for the purpose of determining eligibility of any firm. However, accessory foods that are offered for sale in authorized retail food stores are eligible food items which may be purchased with food stamp benefits. USDA FNS Policy: ‘‘Accessory food items include coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated drinks, candy, condiments and spices. All foods not identified as accessory in the Act and regulations must be considered staple foods’’. [FR Doc. 2013–25451 Filed 10–28–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:15 Oct 28, 2013 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2013–0003] Availability of FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and opportunity for comments. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of a compliance guide to assist livestock slaughter establishments in complying with the regulatory requirements for humane handling and slaughter of livestock. FSIS encourages operators of livestock slaughter establishments to follow this guidance. DATES: The Agency must receive comments by December 30, 2013. ADDRESSES: A downloadable version of the compliance guide is available to view and print at https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/ topics/regulatory-compliance. No hard copies of the compliance guide have been published. FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site 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 https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Room Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8–163B, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8–163B, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS– 2013–0003. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8–164, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Washington, DC 20250–3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: (202) 205–0495, or by Fax: (202) 720–2025. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) requires the use of humane methods for handling and slaughtering livestock. The HMSA states that ‘‘the use of humane methods in the slaughter of livestock prevents needless suffering; results in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the slaughtering industry; brings about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering operations; and produces other benefits for producers, processors, and consumers which tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce.’’ The HMSA is referenced in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 603) and is implemented by FSIS humane handling and slaughter regulations found at 9 CFR part 313. Establishments are required to meet the humane handling and slaughter requirements in the regulations the entire time they hold livestock in connection with slaughter. On September 9, 2004, FSIS announced that livestock slaughter establishments should implement and maintain a systematic approach to humane handling and slaughter to best ensure compliance with the HMSA, FMIA, and the implementing regulations (69 FR 54625). A systematic approach is a comprehensive way of evaluating how livestock enter and move through an establishment. The 2004 notice outlined four steps establishments should take to develop and maintain a systematic approach. The guidance summarizes these four steps and states that under a systematic approach, establishments should: (1) Assess the ability of their livestock handling and slaughter practices to minimize distress and injury to livestock; (2) Design facilities and implement handling practices that minimize distress and injury to livestock; (3) Periodically evaluate facilities and handling methods to ensure that they continue to minimize distress and injury to livestock; and (4) When necessary, modify facilities and handling methods to ensure that they continue to minimize distress and injury to livestock. E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 29, 2013 / Notices The guidance also explains that if an establishment takes this systematic approach and incorporates three additional features, FSIS would consider it a ‘‘robust’’ systematic approach. These three features are: (1) The establishment develops written procedures that it will implement to stay in compliance with the regulations or to come back into compliance should it fail to implement the program as written or fail to prevent noncompliance; (2) The establishment maintains written records that demonstrate that the program is being implemented as written, and that the program is effectively preventing identified potential noncompliances; and (3) These written procedures and records are made available for FSIS review upon request. FSIS believes developing a written plan is a step toward a robust systematic approach to humane handling because a written plan can effectively address the four aspects of a systematic approach. The Agency has developed a compliance guide to assist establishments in developing, implementing, and maintaining a systematic approach to humane handling and slaughter of livestock to comply with the regulatory requirements. Although the guide sets out recommendations rather than requirements, FSIS encourages livestock slaughter establishments to follow this guidance. This guide represents FSIS’s thinking, and FSIS will update it as necessary to reflect comments received any additional information that becomes available. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES USDA Nondiscrimination Statement 18:15 Oct 28, 2013 Jkt 232001 FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/ fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register. FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register 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 constituents and stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/ fsis/programs-and-services/emailsubscription-service. Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts. Done at Washington, DC, on: October 23, 2013. Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2013–25373 Filed 10–28–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TTY). To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. VerDate Mar<15>2010 Additional Public Notification Forest Service Crescent Ranger District; Oregon; Withdrawal of Notice for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Marsh Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of withdrawal. AGENCY: ACTION: The Crescent Ranger District is withdrawing their intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Marsh project. The original Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2013 (Vol. 78, No.81, p 24717–24718). The Forest Service has determined that an EIS is not required for this project as currently proposed and therefore, it was decided to document the project in an environmental assessment. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64471 Tim Foley, Team Leader, Crescent Ranger District, P.O. Box 208, Crescent, Oregon, 97733, phone (541) 433–3200. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: July 31, 2013. Holly Jewkes, Crescent District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2013–25584 Filed 10–28–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. II) (FACA), and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.) (RPA), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612) (NFMA), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108–447) (REA). The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments and forest health, including fire and mountain pine beetle epidemics, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and sitespecific projects having forest-wide implications. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) To provide an orientation to the Board regarding Forest Funding, including appropriations and trends; (2) provide an update to the Board regarding Cave Management and White Nose Syndrome in Bats; and (3) discuss Motorized Travel Permit Fees. DATES: The meeting will be held November 20, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Forest Service Mystic Ranger District Office, 8221 South Highway 16, Rapid City SD. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Supervisor’s Office, Black Hills National Forest, 1019 North Fifth Street, Custer, SD. Please call ahead to Scott Jacobson, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64470-64471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25373]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2013-0003]


Availability of FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach 
to the Humane Handling of Livestock

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and opportunity for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the availability of a compliance guide to assist livestock slaughter 
establishments in complying with the regulatory requirements for humane 
handling and slaughter of livestock. FSIS encourages operators of 
livestock slaughter establishments to follow this guidance.

DATES: The Agency must receive comments by December 30, 2013.

ADDRESSES: A downloadable version of the compliance guide is available 
to view and print at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance. No hard copies of the compliance guide have been 
published.
    FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. 
Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site 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 https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Room Manager, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots 
Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 
355 E. Street SW., Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2013-0003. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 
8-164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) 
of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) requires the use of humane methods for 
handling and slaughtering livestock. The HMSA states that ``the use of 
humane methods in the slaughter of livestock prevents needless 
suffering; results in safer and better working conditions for persons 
engaged in the slaughtering industry; brings about improvement of 
products and economies in slaughtering operations; and produces other 
benefits for producers, processors, and consumers which tend to 
expedite an orderly flow of livestock and livestock products in 
interstate and foreign commerce.''
    The HMSA is referenced in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) 
(21 U.S.C. 603) and is implemented by FSIS humane handling and 
slaughter regulations found at 9 CFR part 313. Establishments are 
required to meet the humane handling and slaughter requirements in the 
regulations the entire time they hold livestock in connection with 
slaughter.
    On September 9, 2004, FSIS announced that livestock slaughter 
establishments should implement and maintain a systematic approach to 
humane handling and slaughter to best ensure compliance with the HMSA, 
FMIA, and the implementing regulations (69 FR 54625). A systematic 
approach is a comprehensive way of evaluating how livestock enter and 
move through an establishment. The 2004 notice outlined four steps 
establishments should take to develop and maintain a systematic 
approach. The guidance summarizes these four steps and states that 
under a systematic approach, establishments should:
    (1) Assess the ability of their livestock handling and slaughter 
practices to minimize distress and injury to livestock;
    (2) Design facilities and implement handling practices that 
minimize distress and injury to livestock;
    (3) Periodically evaluate facilities and handling methods to ensure 
that they continue to minimize distress and injury to livestock; and
    (4) When necessary, modify facilities and handling methods to 
ensure that they continue to minimize distress and injury to livestock.

[[Page 64471]]

    The guidance also explains that if an establishment takes this 
systematic approach and incorporates three additional features, FSIS 
would consider it a ``robust'' systematic approach. These three 
features are:
    (1) The establishment develops written procedures that it will 
implement to stay in compliance with the regulations or to come back 
into compliance should it fail to implement the program as written or 
fail to prevent noncompliance;
    (2) The establishment maintains written records that demonstrate 
that the program is being implemented as written, and that the program 
is effectively preventing identified potential noncompliances; and
    (3) These written procedures and records are made available for 
FSIS review upon request.

FSIS believes developing a written plan is a step toward a robust 
systematic approach to humane handling because a written plan can 
effectively address the four aspects of a systematic approach.
    The Agency has developed a compliance guide to assist 
establishments in developing, implementing, and maintaining a 
systematic approach to humane handling and slaughter of livestock to 
comply with the regulatory requirements. Although the guide sets out 
recommendations rather than requirements, FSIS encourages livestock 
slaughter establishments to follow this guidance. This guide represents 
FSIS's thinking, and FSIS will update it as necessary to reflect 
comments received any additional information that becomes available.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited 
bases apply to all programs.)
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TTY).
    To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register.
    FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register 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 constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/programs-and-services/email-subscription-service. Options range from recalls to export information 
to regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete 
subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their 
accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: October 23, 2013.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-25373 Filed 10-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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