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• National Agricultural Law Center

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) must inspect most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and labeling. Federal inspectors or their state counterparts are present at all times in virtually all slaughter plants and for at least part of each day in establishments that further process meat and poultry products. Debate has ensued for decades over whether this system, first designed in the early 1900s, has kept pace with changes in the food production and marketing industries. Among the issues that the 109th Congress has been asked to examine are: Is enough being done to address longstanding concerns about naturally occurring microbiological contamination? In 1996, FSIS added a sweeping new system known as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) -- essentially plant-specific contamination prevention plans -- on top of the traditional "sight-, smell-, and touch-based" inspection system. Bills proposing to clarify USDA's use of pathogen performance standards include S. 1357 and H.R. 3160. Does FSIS have adequate funding and resources, and/or should industry pay more for inspection? FSIS inspection is mainly funded through USDA's annual appropriation. The pending FY2007 appropriation (H.R. 5384) again rejects the President's proposal for new user fees. Should state-inspected meat and poultry products be allowed in interstate commerce? S. 3519 would lift the longstanding ban on such shipments. Should USDA be given more authority to recall suspect meat and poultry products? Bills to broaden recall authority include S. 1534, S. 3615, and H.R. 5729. Is legislation needed to improve the ability to trace animals, meat, and poultry products? S. 3601 and H.R. 5727 would require a system for tracing all federally inspected meat and poultry from the live animal through processing to the ultimate consumer. H.R. 1254 and H.R. 3170 would establish differing nationwide livestock identification systems for animal disease purposes only. Do current safeguards protect consumers from BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) contaminated beef? S. 294 would tighten controls on imports from BSE-affected countries; S. 2002 and S. 73 would strengthen cattle feeding rules. Should Congress further address animal welfare? S. 1779 and H.R. 3931 would ban the slaughter of nonambulatory livestock; H.R. 503 and S. 1915 would ban horse slaughter for human consumption. Should U.S. food safety responsibilities be consolidated under a single agency? Companion bills (H.R. 1507, S. 729) to do so are pending. This report, which supersedes CRS Issue Brief IB10082, Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues, will be updated if significant developments ensue.

Related Legislation:
• S.1357
• H.R.3160
• H.R.5384
• S.3519
• S.1534
• S.3615
• H.R.5729
• S.3601
• H.R.5727
• H.R.1254
• H.R.3170
• S.294
• S.2002
• S.73
• S.1779
• H.R.3931
• H.R.503
• S.1915
• H.R.1507
• S.729

Related Reports:
• RL32922

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