Changes to the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program: Proposed Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-Eat Comminuted Chicken and Turkey Products and Raw Chicken Parts and Related Agency Verification Procedures and Other Changes to Agency Sampling, 12618-12620 [2015-05494]
Download as PDF
12618
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 10, 2015 / Notices
Agriculture, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington,
DC 20253.
Responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
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: https://
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 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:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves, and have the
option to password protect their
accounts.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 https://
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:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:53 Mar 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–9410.
Fax: (202) 690–7442.
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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).
Done at Washington, DC on: March 4,
2015.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015–05502 Filed 3–9–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS–2014–0023]
Changes to the Salmonella and
Campylobacter Verification Testing
Program: Proposed Performance
Standards for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-Eat
Comminuted Chicken and Turkey
Products and Raw Chicken Parts and
Related Agency Verification
Procedures and Other Changes to
Agency Sampling
Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; extension of comment
period.
AGENCY:
The Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending
the comment period for the Federal
Register notice ‘‘Changes to the
Salmonella and Campylobacter
Verification Testing Program: Proposed
Performance Standards for Salmonella
and Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-Eat
Comminuted Chicken and Turkey
Products and Raw Chicken Parts and
Related Agency Verification Procedures
and Other Changes to Agency
Sampling’’ until May 26, 2015. The
Agency is taking this action in response
to a request made by a coalition of trade
associations.
DATES: Comments are due by May 26,
2015.
SUMMARY:
FSIS invites interested
persons to submit comments. Comments
may be submitted by one 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
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the on-line instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
Mail, CD–ROMs: Send to Docket
Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Food Safety and Inspection Service,
Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street, 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 8–163A, Washington, DC
20250–3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by
mail or electronic mail must include the
Agency name and docket number FSIS–
2014–0023. 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 164–
A, Washington, DC 20250–3700
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel L. Engeljohn, Ph.D., Assistant
Administrator, Office of Policy and
Program Development; Telephone: (202)
205–0495, or by Fax: (202) 720–2025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
January 26, 2015, FSIS published a
notice in the Federal Register to
announce and request comment on new
pathogen reduction performance
standards for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in raw chicken parts and
not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted
chicken and turkey products (80 FR
3940). The Agency also announced its
plans to begin sampling raw chicken
parts in March 2015 to gain additional
information on the prevalence and the
microbiological characteristics of
Salmonella and Campylobacter in those
products (80 FR at 3945). In addition,
FSIS announced that it will begin
exploratory sampling of raw pork
products in March 2015 for pathogens of
public health concern, as well as for
indicator organisms (80 FR at 3942).
FSIS also announced that it will begin
sampling imported poultry carcasses,
imported raw chicken parts, and
imported NRTE comminuted chicken
and turkey for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in March 2015 (80 FR at
3944).
In addition, starting in March 2015,
for products that are currently subject to
Salmonella or Campylobacter
performance standards, FSIS announced
that it plans to use routine sampling
throughout the year rather than the
current set-based approach, whereby
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
10MRN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 10, 2015 / Notices
FSIS collects a given number of samples
consecutive days to assess whether
establishments’ processes are effectively
addressing these pathogens. FSIS stated
that it would perform this assessment
using a moving window of sampling
results (80 FR at 3946).
FSIS also announced that, after
reviewing the comments received on the
notice, beginning July 1, 2015, the
Agency plans to begin web-posting
individual establishment category
information for chicken and turkey
carcasses. FSIS stated that it would
assess what category establishments are
in as of July 1, using combined
historical set data and sample results
beginning March 2015. Meanwhile,
FSIS stated it will continue web-posting
existing Category 3 poultry carcass
establishments. Finally, starting in
March 2015, the Agency announced that
it would begin web-posting aggregate
reports for chicken parts as data become
available, and comminuted chicken and
turkey using historical data and new
results beginning in March (80 FR at
3948).
In a letter addressed to FSIS Deputy
Under Secretary Alfred V. Almanza,
dated January 30, 2015, a coalition of
trade associations requested that FSIS
extend the comment period by 90 days
to provide additional time to formulate
meaningful comments. In addition, the
trade associations requested that FSIS
extend all implementation dates
discussed above by 90 days to ensure
the Agency has an opportunity to
consider the comments and to ensure
that the affected industry has enough
time to prepare for changes in Agency
actions.
FSIS will extend the comment period
by an additional 60 days; the comment
period will now end on May 26, 2015.
FSIS has determined that 60 days
should be sufficient because FSIS has
made available much of the information
in the January 2015 Federal Register
notice in other Federal Register
notices 1 and in the Salmonella Action
Plan.2 FSIS will fully consider all
comments received in response to the
notice. FSIS will not, however, delay
implementation of actions announced in
the notice.
Therefore, in March 2015, FSIS
intends to proceed with implementing
sampling of raw chicken parts to gain
additional information on the
prevalence and the microbiological
characteristics of Salmonella and
1 78 FR 53017; Aug. 28, 2013, 79 FR 32436; Jun.
5, 2014
2 https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/
food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-factsheets/foodborne-illness-and-disease/salmonella/
sap
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:53 Mar 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
Campylobacter in those products. FSIS
will analyze this data and will discuss
it in the Federal Register announcing
final standards. In March 2015, FSIS
also intends to begin exploratory
sampling of raw pork products for
pathogens of public health concern, as
well as for indicator organisms. Finally,
FSIS intends to begin sampling
imported poultry carcasses, imported
raw chicken parts, and imported notready-to-eat comminuted chicken and
turkey for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in March 2015.
Similarly, in March 2015, for all
products that are currently under
Salmonella or Campylobacter
performance standards, FSIS intends to
proceed with using the moving window
approach to assess whether
establishment meet those standards.
FSIS does not see a reason to delay
analyzing standards according to the
moving window approach because the
Agency previously announced that it
intended to do so and requested
comments on this approach.3 FSIS
responded to those comments 4 and
provided additional information on this
approach in the January 2015 Federal
Register notice (80 FR at 3946).
Furthermore, FSIS does not expect
establishment categories to change
greatly when the Agency discontinues
the set approach and starts using the
moving window approach. Therefore,
this change should not have a
significant effect on establishments.
FSIS also intends to proceed with
posting aggregate reports for chicken
parts and comminuted chicken and
turkey in March 2015 as announced in
the January Federal Register notice.
Until FSIS establishes final standards
for these products, establishments may
use these reports to increase their
awareness of the pathogen incidence in
these products and compare the ongoing incidence in their establishments
against the results made public by FSIS.
Establishments may also choose to make
changes in their procedures as necessary
to control Salmonella and
Campylobacter, particularly if the levels
of these pathogens in their products are
higher than the proposed standard.
Finally, beginning July 1, 2015, the
Agency plans to begin web-posting
individual establishment category
information for chicken and turkey
carcasses as announced in the January
Federal Register notice. However, as
stated in the notice, we will assess the
comments on that issue prior to posting.
3 78
4 79
PO 00000
FR at 53019
FR at 32439
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12619
USDA Nondiscrimination 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.
To file a complaint of discrimination,
complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, which
may be accessed online at https://
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
program.intake@usda.gov.
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).
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: https://
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 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:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe .
Options range from recalls to export
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
10MRN1
12620
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 10, 2015 / Notices
information, 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: March 4,
2015.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015–05494 Filed 3–9–15; 08:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
Regulations and Procedures Technical
Advisory Committee; Notice of
Partially Closed Meeting
The Regulations and Procedures
Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC)
will meet March 24, 2015, 9:00 a.m.,
Room 3884, in the Herbert C. Hoover
Building, 14th Street between
Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues
NW., Washington, DC. The Committee
advises the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Export Administration on
implementation of the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR) and
provides for continuing review to
update the EAR as needed.
Agenda
Public Session
1. Opening remarks by the Chairman.
2. Opening remarks by Bureau of
Industry and Security.
3. Presentation of papers or comments
by the Public.
4. Export Enforcement update.
5. Regulations update.
6. Working group reports.
7. Automated Export System update.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Closed Session
8. Discussion of matters determined to
be exempt from the provisions relating
to public meetings found in 5 U.S.C.
app. 2 §§ 10(a)(1) and 10(a)(3).
The open session will be accessible
via teleconference to 25 participants on
a first come, first serve basis. To join the
conference, submit inquiries to Ms.
Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@
bis.doc.gov no later than March 12,
2015.
A limited number of seats will be
available for the public session.
Reservations are not accepted. To the
extent that time permits, members of the
public may present oral statements to
the Committee. The public may submit
written statements at any time before or
after the meeting. However, to facilitate
the distribution of public presentation
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:53 Mar 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
materials to the Committee members,
the Committee suggests that presenters
forward the public presentation
materials prior to the meeting to Ms.
Springer via email.
The Assistant Secretary for
Administration, with the concurrence of
the delegate of the General Counsel,
formally determined on February 24,
2015, pursuant to Section 10(d) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (5 U.S.C. app. 2 § (10)(d)), that
the portion of the meeting dealing with
pre-decisional changes to the Commerce
Control List and U.S. export control
policies shall be exempt from the
provisions relating to public meetings
found in 5 U.S.C. app. 2 §§ 10(a)(1) and
10(a)(3). The remaining portions of the
meeting will be open to the public.
For more information, call Yvette
Springer at (202) 482–2813.
Dated: March 2, 2015.
Yvette Springer,
Committee Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015–05498 Filed 3–9–15; 08:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JT–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; Western Pacific
Community Development Program
Process
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of
Commerce, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before May 11, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument and instructions should be
directed to Jarad Makaiau, (808) 944–
2108 or Jarad.Makaiau@noaa.gov.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for an extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
The Federal regulations at 50 CFR
part 665 authorize the Regional
Administrator of the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Island
Region to provide eligible western
Pacific communities with access to
fisheries that they have traditionally
depended upon, but may not have the
capabilities to support continued and
substantial participation, possibly due
to economic, regulatory, or other
barriers. To be eligible to participate in
the western Pacific community
development program, a community
must meet the criteria set forth in 50
CFR part 665.20, and submit a
community development plan that
describes the purposes and goals of the
plan, the justification for proposed
fishing activities, and the degree of
involvement by the indigenous
community members, including contact
information.
This collection of information
provides NMFS and the Western Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council)
with data to determine whether a
community that submits a community
development plan meets the regulatory
requirements for participation in the
program, and whether the activities
proposed under the plan are consistent
with the intent of the program, the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and
other applicable laws. The information
is also important for evaluating
potential impacts of the proposed
community development plan activities
on fish stocks, endangered species,
marine mammals, and other
components of the affected environment
for the purposes of compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act, the
Endangered Species Act and other
applicable laws.
II. Method of Collection
The collection of information of a
community development plan involves
no forms, and respondents have a
choice of submitting information by
electronic transmission or by mail.
Instructions on how to submit a
community development plan can be
found on the Council’s Web site at
https://www.wpcouncil.org/communitydevelopment/western-pacificcommunity-development-program/.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0612.
Form Number: None.
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
10MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12618-12620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05494]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2014-0023]
Changes to the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing
Program: Proposed Performance Standards for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-Eat Comminuted Chicken and Turkey
Products and Raw Chicken Parts and Related Agency Verification
Procedures and Other Changes to Agency Sampling
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the
comment period for the Federal Register notice ``Changes to the
Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program: Proposed
Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-
Eat Comminuted Chicken and Turkey Products and Raw Chicken Parts and
Related Agency Verification Procedures and Other Changes to Agency
Sampling'' until May 26, 2015. The Agency is taking this action in
response to a request made by a coalition of trade associations.
DATES: Comments are due by May 26, 2015.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments. Comments
may be submitted by one 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, CD-ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 355
E Street, 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 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2014-0023. 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
164-A, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel L. Engeljohn, Ph.D., Assistant
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone:
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 26, 2015, FSIS published a notice
in the Federal Register to announce and request comment on new pathogen
reduction performance standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw
chicken parts and not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted chicken and turkey
products (80 FR 3940). The Agency also announced its plans to begin
sampling raw chicken parts in March 2015 to gain additional information
on the prevalence and the microbiological characteristics of Salmonella
and Campylobacter in those products (80 FR at 3945). In addition, FSIS
announced that it will begin exploratory sampling of raw pork products
in March 2015 for pathogens of public health concern, as well as for
indicator organisms (80 FR at 3942). FSIS also announced that it will
begin sampling imported poultry carcasses, imported raw chicken parts,
and imported NRTE comminuted chicken and turkey for Salmonella and
Campylobacter in March 2015 (80 FR at 3944).
In addition, starting in March 2015, for products that are
currently subject to Salmonella or Campylobacter performance standards,
FSIS announced that it plans to use routine sampling throughout the
year rather than the current set-based approach, whereby
[[Page 12619]]
FSIS collects a given number of samples consecutive days to assess
whether establishments' processes are effectively addressing these
pathogens. FSIS stated that it would perform this assessment using a
moving window of sampling results (80 FR at 3946).
FSIS also announced that, after reviewing the comments received on
the notice, beginning July 1, 2015, the Agency plans to begin web-
posting individual establishment category information for chicken and
turkey carcasses. FSIS stated that it would assess what category
establishments are in as of July 1, using combined historical set data
and sample results beginning March 2015. Meanwhile, FSIS stated it will
continue web-posting existing Category 3 poultry carcass
establishments. Finally, starting in March 2015, the Agency announced
that it would begin web-posting aggregate reports for chicken parts as
data become available, and comminuted chicken and turkey using
historical data and new results beginning in March (80 FR at 3948).
In a letter addressed to FSIS Deputy Under Secretary Alfred V.
Almanza, dated January 30, 2015, a coalition of trade associations
requested that FSIS extend the comment period by 90 days to provide
additional time to formulate meaningful comments. In addition, the
trade associations requested that FSIS extend all implementation dates
discussed above by 90 days to ensure the Agency has an opportunity to
consider the comments and to ensure that the affected industry has
enough time to prepare for changes in Agency actions.
FSIS will extend the comment period by an additional 60 days; the
comment period will now end on May 26, 2015. FSIS has determined that
60 days should be sufficient because FSIS has made available much of
the information in the January 2015 Federal Register notice in other
Federal Register notices \1\ and in the Salmonella Action Plan.\2\ FSIS
will fully consider all comments received in response to the notice.
FSIS will not, however, delay implementation of actions announced in
the notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 78 FR 53017; Aug. 28, 2013, 79 FR 32436; Jun. 5, 2014
\2\ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/foodborne-illness-and-disease/salmonella/sap
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, in March 2015, FSIS intends to proceed with implementing
sampling of raw chicken parts to gain additional information on the
prevalence and the microbiological characteristics of Salmonella and
Campylobacter in those products. FSIS will analyze this data and will
discuss it in the Federal Register announcing final standards. In March
2015, FSIS also intends to begin exploratory sampling of raw pork
products for pathogens of public health concern, as well as for
indicator organisms. Finally, FSIS intends to begin sampling imported
poultry carcasses, imported raw chicken parts, and imported not-ready-
to-eat comminuted chicken and turkey for Salmonella and Campylobacter
in March 2015.
Similarly, in March 2015, for all products that are currently under
Salmonella or Campylobacter performance standards, FSIS intends to
proceed with using the moving window approach to assess whether
establishment meet those standards. FSIS does not see a reason to delay
analyzing standards according to the moving window approach because the
Agency previously announced that it intended to do so and requested
comments on this approach.\3\ FSIS responded to those comments \4\ and
provided additional information on this approach in the January 2015
Federal Register notice (80 FR at 3946). Furthermore, FSIS does not
expect establishment categories to change greatly when the Agency
discontinues the set approach and starts using the moving window
approach. Therefore, this change should not have a significant effect
on establishments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 78 FR at 53019
\4\ 79 FR at 32439
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSIS also intends to proceed with posting aggregate reports for
chicken parts and comminuted chicken and turkey in March 2015 as
announced in the January Federal Register notice. Until FSIS
establishes final standards for these products, establishments may use
these reports to increase their awareness of the pathogen incidence in
these products and compare the on-going incidence in their
establishments against the results made public by FSIS. Establishments
may also choose to make changes in their procedures as necessary to
control Salmonella and Campylobacter, particularly if the levels of
these pathogens in their products are higher than the proposed
standard.
Finally, beginning July 1, 2015, the Agency plans to begin web-
posting individual establishment category information for chicken and
turkey carcasses as announced in the January Federal Register notice.
However, as stated in the notice, we will assess the comments on that
issue prior to posting.
USDA Nondiscrimination 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.
To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at https://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
program.intake@usda.gov.
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).
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:
https://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 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: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe . Options range from recalls to export
[[Page 12620]]
information, 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: March 4, 2015.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-05494 Filed 3-9-15; 08:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P