98-34358. Agency Responsibilities, Organization, and Terminology  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 72352-72356]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-34358]
    
    
    
    [[Page 72351]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part II
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Agriculture
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Food Safety and Inspection Service
    
    
    
    Agricultural Marketing Service
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    7 CFR Part 59
    
    
    
    9 CFR Ch. III
    
    
    
    Agency Responsibilities, Organization, and Terminology; Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 251 / Thursday, December 31, 1998 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    
    [[Page 72352]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Food Safety and Inspection Service
    Agricultural Marketing Service
    [Docket No. 97-045F]
    
    7 CFR Part 59
    
    9 CFR Chapter III
    
    
    Agency Responsibilities, Organization, and Terminology
    
    AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule with an opportunity to comment.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its 
    regulations to describe, in part 300, the Agency's responsibilities and 
    current organization. This rule also redesignates regulations adopted 
    under the Egg Products Inspection Act and transfers them to part 590 of 
    FSIS's regulations. FSIS is providing an opportunity for members of the 
    public to submit comments on the clarity and technical accuracy of the 
    resultant regulations.
    
    DATES: December 31, 1998. Submit comments by February 1, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit one original and two copies of written comments to 
    FSIS Docket Clerk, Docket No. 97-045F, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
    Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 102, Cotton Annex, 300 12th 
    Street, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All comments submitted will be 
    available for public inspection in the Docket Clerk's office between 
    8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith Neibrief, Regulations 
    Development and Analysis Division, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
    Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 720-3886.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for 
    carrying out various functions of the Department of Agriculture. Chief 
    among these are the administration of the Federal Meat Inspection Act 
    (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act 
    (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act 
    (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). Each of these statutes includes 
    government inspection as part of a regulatory system to protect the 
    health and welfare of consumers by preventing the distribution of 
    livestock products, poultry products, and egg products that are 
    unwholesome, otherwise adulterated, or misbranded.
        The Agency's primary objective in this rulemaking is to amend 
    chapter III of title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR 
    chapter III) so that it contains, in part 300, FSIS's current 
    organizational structure. With the concurrence of the Agricultural 
    Marketing Service (AMS), this rule also redesignates the EPIA 
    regulations in part 59 of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 
    CFR part 59) and transfers them to part 590 of 9 CFR chapter III. 
    Several years ago, the Secretary of Agriculture delegated to the 
    Administrator of FSIS all functions in the EPIA other than the shell 
    egg surveillance program, voluntary laboratory analyses of egg 
    products, and the voluntary grading program (7 CFR 2.53(a)(2)(iii)), 
    which continue to be delegated to the Administrator of AMS (7 CFR 
    2.79(a)(8)(xxxiv)). In recognition of the current allocation of 
    responsibilities within USDA, AMS recently issued a rule that 
    duplicated, redesignated, and amended the EPIA regulations to include 
    pertinent portions in 7 CFR part 57, for AMS, and in part 59, for FSIS 
    (63 FR 69968, December 17, 1998). Except for several changes that 
    reflect FSIS's assumption of responsibility for administering various 
    provisions of the EPIA (see amendments to redesignated Secs. 590.1 and 
    590.5), this rule does not amend provisions of the EPIA regulations.
        Because the Agency's regulations address more than just the 
    inspection provisions of the FMIA and the PPIA and, as a result of this 
    rule, also include the EPIA regulations, FSIS is removing the phrase 
    ``MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION'' from the heading of chapter III of 9 
    CFR. FSIS also is consolidating current subchapters A, B, and C of 9 
    CFR chapter III into one subchapter, subchapter A, and modifying the 
    heading of current subchapter A to indicate its new scope: Agency 
    organization and terminology, mandatory meat and poultry products 
    inspection, and voluntary inspection and certification. To accommodate 
    the EPIA regulations, FSIS is adding subchapter I--``Egg Products 
    Inspection Act''.
    
    Part 300 and Redesignated Secs. 590.1 and 590.5
    
        Part 300--``Agency Mission and Organization''--consists of a 
    description of the part (Sec. 300.1), a statement about FSIS's 
    responsibilities (Sec. 300.2), FSIS's organizational structure and 
    terminology (Sec. 300.3), and access provisions (Sec. 300.6).
        Paragraph (a) of Sec. 300.2 references the Department's delegation 
    of authority regulations (7 CFR 2.7, 2.18, and 2.53) for FSIS's 
    responsibilities, replacing an obsolete reference in Sec. 381.3(a) for 
    the PPIA. In exercising its delegated functions, FSIS administers 
    regulations that implement provisions of the statutes listed in 
    paragraph (b) of Sec. 300.2.
        Section 300.3 includes a description of the Agency's headquarters 
    and field structure. As reorganized, the Agency's field structure 
    consists of 18 district offices 1 and a technical service 
    center 2 (Sec. 300.3(c)). Each district office, under the 
    direction of a District Manager, manages a farm-to-table food safety 
    program of regulatory oversight and inspection in a district consisting 
    of a State or several States and territories (as specified in paragraph 
    (c)(1)). These offices administer domestic and import inspection 
    activities. They replaced regional offices (which included inspection 
    and compliance area offices) and import field offices (as specified in 
    the appendix to this rule).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \1\ The locations of the district offices are as follows: 
    Alameda, CA (620 Central Avenue, Building 2C, Alameda, CA 94501); 
    Albany, NY (230 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203); 
    Atlanta, GA (100 Alabama Street, SW, Building 1924, Suite 3R90, 
    Atlanta, GA 30303); Boston, MA (411 Waverley Oaks Road, Building 3, 
    Suite 331, Waltham, MA 02452); Boulder, CO (665 South Broadway, 
    Suite B, Boulder, CO 80303); Chicago, IL (1919 South Highland 
    Avenue, Suite 115C, Lombard, IL 60148); Dallas, TX (1100 Commerce 
    Street, Room 5F41, Dallas, TX 75242); Des Moines, IA (11338 Aurora 
    Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50322); Beltsville, MD (5601 Sunnyside 
    Avenue, Suite 1-2288B, Beltsville, MD 20705); Jackson, MS (715 South 
    Pear Orchard Road, Suite 101, Ridgeland, MS 39157); Lawrence, KS 
    (4920 West 15th Street, Lawrence, KS 66049); Madison, WI (2810 
    Crossroads Drive, Suite 3500, Madison, WI 53718); Minneapolis, MN 
    (Butler Square West, Suite 989-C, 100 North 6th Street, Minneapolis, 
    MN 55403); Philadelphia, PA (701 Market Street, 2-B South, 
    Philadelphia, PA 19106); Pickerington, OH (155 East Columbus Street, 
    Pickerington, OH 43147); Raleigh, NC (6020 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, 
    NC 27609); Salem, OR (530 Center Street, NE, Mezzanine, Salem, OR 
    97301); Springdale, AR (Country Club Center, Building B, Suite 201, 
    4700 South Thompson, Springdale, AR 72764). FSIS expects to close 
    the Boston office in 1999.
        \2\ The address of the FSIS Technical Service Center is 1299 
    Farnam Street, Suite 300 Landmark Center, Omaha, NE 68102.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Technical Service Center provides technical guidance, review, 
    and training on regulatory requirements (as specified in paragraph 
    (c)(2)). These activities previously were conducted at regional and 
    headquarters offices.
        Section 300.6 consolidates various access provisions of the FMIA 
    and the PPIA. Paragraph (a) covers access by representatives of the 
    Secretary. Paragraph (a)(1) replaces the last sentences of Secs. 306.3 
    and 381.33 and provides for access to places of business
    
    [[Page 72353]]
    
    regulated under the FMIA or the PPIA. Paragraph (a)(2) references part 
    590 for access to plants that process egg products and to other places 
    of business subject to regulation under the EPIA.
        Paragraph (b) of Sec. 300.6 is limited to places of business 
    regulated under the FMIA or the PPIA. (For access under the EPIA, see 
    also redesignated Secs. 590.132, 590.200, and 590.660.) Paragraph 
    (b)(1) addresses access to establishments that prepare livestock 
    products or process poultry products, replacing the first sentence of 
    Sec. 306.2 and Sec. 381.32 and provisions of Sec. 306.3 and 
    Sec. 381.33. Paragraph (b)(2) addresses access and examinations 
    pursuant to section 202 of the FMIA or section 11(b) of the PPIA (21 
    U.S.C. 460(b) and 642). It replaces the first sentences of Secs. 320.4 
    and 381.178 (Access to and inspection of records, facilities and 
    inventory; copying and sampling). (For the convenience of the reader, 
    FSIS is referencing Sec. 300.6 in Secs. 306.2, 320.4, 381.32, and 
    381.178.)
    
    Final Rule With Opportunity for Comment
    
        FSIS has determined that the notice and comment and delayed 
    effective date requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
    U.S.C. 553(b) and (d)) do not apply to this rule. The amendments made 
    by this rule reflect the Agency's current responsibilities, and the 
    organization through which it carries out those responsibilities, and 
    technical and minor changes in the organization of the Agency's 
    regulations and terminology used in those regulations. Therefore, FSIS, 
    has, for good cause, found that notice and public procedure thereon are 
    unnecessary, and it is issuing these amendments as a final rule, 
    effective upon publication.
        Nevertheless, the Agency recognizes that attaining its objective 
    has necessitated a large number of amendments. Therefore, FSIS is 
    providing members of the public with an opportunity to provide comments 
    on the clarity and the technical accuracy of the amended regulations. 
    The Agency requests that those with comments submit them during the 30 
    days that follow publication of the rule.
    
    Executive Order 12866
    
        The changes in this rule are organizational and technical. Their 
    adoption does not affect the costs to regulated establishments or to 
    FSIS, except to the extent that improving the Agency's organization, 
    providing the public with current information on how the Agency 
    operates, and updating, consolidating, and clarifying Agency 
    terminology should increase FSIS's efficiency and improve the delivery 
    of inspection services to members of the regulated industries. FSIS has 
    determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
    the criteria set forth in Executive Order 12866.
    
    Compliance With Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1996
    
        The Administrator has determined that, for purposes of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601), this final rule will not 
    have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities.
    
    Executive Order 12988
    
        This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
    Justice Reform. In this rule: (1) all State and local laws and 
    regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2) 
    no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) no 
    administrative proceedings will be required before parties may file 
    suit in court challenging this rule.
    
    List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 59
    
        Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food grades and standards, Food 
    labeling, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    List of Subjects in 9 CFR Chapter III
    
    Part 300
    
        Meat and meat products, Poultry and poultry products.
    
    Part 590
    
        Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food labeling, Imports, Reporting 
    and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        For the reasons set forth above, the Food Safety and Inspection 
    Service, with the concurrence of the Agricultural Marketing Service, is 
    redesignating and transferring part 59 of 7 CFR chapter I, and it is 
    amending 9 CFR chapter III as follows:
    
    7 CFR CHAPTER I
    
    9 CFR CHAPTER III
    
        1. Part 59 of 7 CFR chapter I is redesignated as part 590 of 9 CFR 
    and transferred to 9 CFR chapter III, as set out in the following 
    table:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   7 CFR Part 59                       9 CFR Part 590
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Definitions
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.1................................  Sec.  590.1
    Sec.  59.5................................  Sec.  590.5
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Administration
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.10...............................  Sec.  590.10
    Sec.  59.13...............................  Sec.  590.13
    Sec.  59.17...............................  Sec.  590.17
    Sec.  59.18...............................  Sec.  590.18
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Scope of Inspection
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.20...............................  Sec.  590.20
    Sec.  59.22...............................  Sec.  590.22
    Sec.  59.24...............................  Sec.  590.24
    Sec.  59.26...............................  Sec.  590.26
    Sec.  59.28...............................  Sec.  590.28
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Relation to Other Authorities
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.30...............................  Sec.  590.30
    Sec.  59.35...............................  Sec.  590.35
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Eggs and Egg Products Not Intended for Human Food
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.40...............................  Sec.  590.40
    Sec.  59.45...............................  Sec.  590.45
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Refrigeration of Shell Eggs
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.50...............................  Sec.  590.50
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Exemptions
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.100..............................  Sec.  590.100
    Sec.  59.105..............................  Sec.  590.105
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Performance of Service
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.110..............................  Sec.  590.100
    Sec.  59.112..............................  Sec.  590.112
    Sec.  59.114..............................  Sec.  590.114
    Sec.  59.116..............................  Sec.  590.116
    Sec.  59.118..............................  Sec.  590.118
    Sec.  59.119..............................  Sec.  590.119
    Sec.  59.120..............................  Sec.  590.120
    Sec.  59.122..............................  Sec.  590.122
    Sec.  59.124..............................  Sec.  590.124
    Sec.  59.126..............................  Sec.  590.126
    Sec.  59.128..............................  Sec.  590.128
    Sec.  59.130..............................  Sec.  590.130
    Sec.  59.132..............................  Sec.  590.132
    Sec.  59.134..............................  Sec.  590.134
    Sec.  59.136..............................  Sec.  590.136
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Application for Service
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.140..............................  Sec.  590.140
    Sec.  59.142..............................  Sec.  590.142
    Sec.  59.144..............................  Sec.  590.144
    Sec.  59.146..............................  Sec.  590.146
    Sec.  59.148..............................  Sec.  590.148
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Inauguration of Service
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.150..............................  Sec.  590.150
    Sec.  59.155..............................  Sec.  590.155
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Denial of Service
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.160..............................  Sec.  590.160
    Sec.  59.161..............................  Sec.  590.161
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    [[Page 72354]]
    
     
     Records and Related Requirements for Eggs and Egg Products Handlers and
                               Related Industries
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.200..............................  Sec.  590.200
    Sec.  59.220..............................  Sec.  590.220
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Administrative Detention
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.240..............................  Sec.  590.240
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Appeal of an Inspection or Decision
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.300..............................  Sec.  590.300
    Sec.  59.310..............................  Sec.  590.310
    Sec.  59.320..............................  Sec.  590.320
    Sec.  59.330..............................  Sec.  590.330
    Sec.  59.340..............................  Sec.  590.340
    Sec.  59.350..............................  Sec.  590.350
    Sec.  59.360..............................  Sec.  590.360
    Sec.  59.370..............................  Sec.  590.370
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Certificates
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.400..............................  Sec.  590.400
    Sec.  59.402..............................  Sec.  590.402
    Sec.  59.404..............................  Sec.  590.404
    Sec.  59.406..............................  Sec.  590.406
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Identifying and Marking Product
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.410..............................  Sec.  590.410
    Sec.  59.411..............................  Sec.  590.411
    Sec.  59.412..............................  Sec.  590.412
    Sec.  59.414..............................  Sec.  590.414
    Sec.  59.415..............................  Sec.  590.415
    Sec.  59.417..............................  Sec.  590.417
    Sec.  59.418..............................  Sec.  590.418
    Sec.  59.419..............................  Sec.  590.419
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Inspection, Reinspection, Condemnation, and Retention
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.420..............................  Sec.  590.420
    Sec.  59.422..............................  Sec.  590.422
    Sec.  59.424..............................  Sec.  590.424
    Sec.  59.426..............................  Sec.  590.426
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Entry of Materials Into Official Egg Products Plants
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.430..............................  Sec.  590.430
    Sec.  59.435..............................  Sec.  590.435
    Sec.  59.440..............................  Sec.  590.440
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Sanitary, Processing, and Facility Requirements
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.500..............................  Sec.  590.500
    Sec.  59.502..............................  Sec.  590.502
    Sec.  59.504..............................  Sec.  590.504
    Sec.  59.506..............................  Sec.  590.506
    Sec.  59.508..............................  Sec.  590.508
    Sec.  59.510..............................  Sec.  590.510
    Sec.  59.515..............................  Sec.  590.515
    Sec.  59.516..............................  Sec.  590.516
    Sec.  59.520..............................  Sec.  590.520
    Sec.  59.522..............................  Sec.  590.522
    Sec.  59.530..............................  Sec.  590.530
    Sec.  59.532..............................  Sec.  590.532
    Sec.  59.534..............................  Sec.  590.534
    Sec.  59.536..............................  Sec.  590.536
    Sec.  59.538..............................  Sec.  590.538
    Sec.  59.539..............................  Sec.  590.539
    Sec.  59.540..............................  Sec.  590.540
    Sec.  59.542..............................  Sec.  590.542
    Sec.  59.544..............................  Sec.  590.544
    Sec.  59.546..............................  Sec.  590.546
    Sec.  59.547..............................  Sec.  590.547
    Sec.  59.548..............................  Sec.  590.548
    Sec.  59.549..............................  Sec.  590.549
    Sec.  59.550..............................  Sec.  590.550
    Sec.  59.552..............................  Sec.  590.552
    Sec.  59.560..............................  Sec.  590.560
    Sec.  59.570..............................  Sec.  590.570
    Sec.  59.575..............................  Sec.  590.575
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Laboratory
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.580..............................  Sec.  590.580
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Exempted Egg Products Plants
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.600..............................  Sec.  590.600
    Sec.  59.610..............................  Sec.  590.610
    Sec.  59.620..............................  Sec.  590.620
    Sec.  59.630..............................  Sec.  590.630
    Sec.  59.640..............................  Sec.  590.640
    Sec.  59.650..............................  Sec.  590.650
    Sec.  59.660..............................  Sec.  590.660
    Sec.  59.670..............................  Sec.  590.670
    Sec.  59.680..............................  Sec.  590.680
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Identification of Restricted Eggs or Egg Products Not Intended for
                               Human Consumption
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.800..............................  Sec.  590.800
    Sec.  59.840..............................  Sec.  590.840
    Sec.  59.860..............................  Sec.  590.860
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Imports
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec.  59.900..............................  Sec.  590.900
    Sec.  59.905..............................  Sec.  590.905
    Sec.  59.910..............................  Sec.  590.910
    Sec.  59.915..............................  Sec.  590.915
    Sec.  59.920..............................  Sec.  590.920
    Sec.  59.925..............................  Sec.  590.925
    Sec.  59.930..............................  Sec.  590.930
    Sec.  59.935..............................  Sec.  590.935
    Sec.  59.940..............................  Sec.  590.940
    Sec.  59.945..............................  Sec.  590.945
    Sec.  59.950..............................  Sec.  590.950
    Sec.  59.955..............................  Sec.  590.955
    Sec.  59.956..............................  Sec.  590.956
    Sec.  59.960..............................  Sec.  590.960
    Sec.  59.965..............................  Sec.  590.965
    Sec.  59.970..............................  Sec.  590.970
    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 1031-1056............  Authority: 21 U.S.C. 1031-
                                                 1056
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        2. In redesignated part 590, each internal reference to a section 
    of part 59 is revised as set out in the preceding redesignation table.
        3. The heading of 9 CFR chapter III is amended by removing ``MEAT 
    AND POULTRY INSPECTION,''.
        4. Parts 350 through 381 are transferred to subchapter A; the 
    headings of subchapters B and C are removed and reserved; and the 
    heading of subchapter A is revised to read as follows:
    
    SUBCHAPTER A--AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND 
    POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION
    
        5. Redesignated part 590 is designated as subchapter I, and a 
    heading for subchapter I is added to read as follows:
    
    SUBCHAPTER I--EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT
    
        6. In subchapter A, part 300 is added to read as follows:
    
    PART 300--AGENCY MISSION AND ORGANIZATION
    
    Sec.
    300.1 Purpose.
    300.2 FSIS responsibilities.
    300.3 FSIS organization.
    300.6 Access to establishments and other places of business.
    
        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 451-470, 601-695, 1031-1056; 7 U.S.C. 138-
    138i, 450, 1621-1627, 1901-1906; 7 CFR 2.7, 2.18, 2.53.
    
    
    Sec. 300.1  Purpose.
    
        This part describes the duties and organization of the Food Safety 
    and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States 
    Department of Agriculture (USDA).
    
    
    Sec. 300.2  FSIS responsibilities.
    
        (a) [Reserved]
        (b) Implementing regulations. This chapter of title 9 of the Code 
    of Federal Regulations (9 CFR chapter III) includes, in addition to 
    administrative rules, rules and regulations that implement provisions 
    of the following statutes:
        (1) The Federal Meat Inspection Act, as amended (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 
    601 et seq.), except provisions pertaining to the inspection and 
    certification of the condition of animals for export, and related 
    legislation;
        (2) The Poultry Products Inspection Act, as amended (PPIA) (21 
    U.S.C. 451 et seq.);
        (3) The Egg Products Inspection Act, as amended (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 
    1031 et seq.), except for the shell egg surveillance program, voluntary 
    laboratory analyses of egg products, and the voluntary grading program;
        (4) The Humane Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. 1901-1906);
        (5) The Talmadge-Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 450), with respect to 
    cooperation with States in the administration of the Federal Meat 
    Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act;
        (6) The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
    1621-1627), relating to voluntary inspection of poultry and edible 
    products thereof; voluntary inspection and certification of technical 
    animal fat; certified products
    
    [[Page 72355]]
    
    for dogs, cats, and other carnivora; voluntary inspection of rabbits 
    and edible products thereof; and voluntary inspection and certification 
    of edible meat and other products; and
        (7) The National Laboratory Accreditation Program (7 U.S.C. 138-
    138i) with respect to laboratories accredited only for pesticide 
    residue analysis in meat and poultry products.
    
    
    Sec. 300.3  FSIS organization.
    
        (a) General. The organization of FSIS reflects the agency's primary 
    regulatory responsibilities: implementation of the FMIA, the PPIA, and 
    the EPIA.
        (b) Headquarters. FSIS has four principal components or offices, 
    each of which is under the direction of a Deputy Administrator. The 
    Deputy Administrators, along with their staffs, and the Administrator, 
    along with the Office of the Administrator and three staff offices that 
    report to the Administrator, are located at U.S. Department of 
    Agriculture headquarters in Washington, DC.
        (1) Program offices. FSIS's headquarters offices are the Office of 
    Public Health and Science, which provides scientific analysis, advice, 
    data, and recommendations on matters involving public health and 
    science; the Office of Management, which provides centralized 
    administrative and support services; the Office of Policy, Program 
    Development and Evaluation, which develops and recommends domestic and 
    international policy activities; and the Office of Field Operations, 
    which manages regulatory oversight and inspection (see paragraph (c) of 
    this section).
        (2) Staff offices. The Administrator's staff offices are the Food 
    Safety Executive Management and Coordination Staff, the Legislative 
    Liaison Staff, and the Food Safety Education and Communications Staff.
        (c) Field. FSIS's field structure consists of eighteen district 
    offices and a technical center.
        (1) District offices. Each district office, under the direction of 
    a District Manager, manages a farm-to-table food safety program of 
    regulatory oversight and inspection in a district consisting of a State 
    or several States and territories.
        The locations of the district offices and the districts' geographic 
    boundaries are as follows:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Alameda, CA.......................  California.
    Salem, OR.........................  Alaska, American Samoa, Guam,
                                         Hawaii, Idaho, Northern Mariana
                                         Islands, Oregon, and Washington.
    Boulder, CO.......................  Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New
                                         Mexico, Utah.
    Minneapolis, MN...................  Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota,
                                         South Dakota, and Wyoming.
    Des Moines, IA....................  Iowa and Nebraska.
    Lawrence, KS......................  Kansas and Missouri.
    Springdale, AR....................  Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
    Dallas, TX........................  Texas.
    Madison, WI.......................  Michigan and Wisconsin.
    Chicago, IL.......................  Illinois and Indiana.
    Pickerington, OH..................  Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.
    Philadelphia, PA..................  Pennsylvania.
    Albany, NY........................  New Jersey and New York.
    Boston, MA........................  Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
                                         New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode
                                         Island, Vermont, and Virgin
                                         Islands.
    Greenbelt, MD.....................  Delaware, District of Columbia,
                                         Maryland, and Virginia.
    Raleigh, NC.......................  North Carolina and South Carolina.
    Atlanta, GA.......................  Florida and Georgia.
    Jackson, MS.......................  Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) Technical Service Center. The Technical Service Center, which 
    is located in Omaha, Nebraska, provides technical guidance, review, and 
    training on the interpretation and application of regulatory 
    requirements.
    
    
    Sec. 300.6  Access to establishments and other places of business.
    
        (a) General. Upon presentation of credentials--
        (1) Persons subject to provisions of the FMIA or the PPIA must 
    afford representatives of the Secretary access to establishments that 
    slaughter or otherwise prepare livestock products or process poultry 
    products and to other places of business subject to regulation 
    thereunder; and
        (2) Persons subject to provisions of the EPIA must afford 
    representatives of the Secretary access as specified in part 590 of 
    this chapter.
        (b) [Reserved]
    
        Done at Washington, DC, on December 22, 1998.
    Thomas J. Billy,
    Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
    
        Concurrence in the transfer of 7 CFR part 59 on December 22, 1998.
    Enrique E. Figueroa,
    Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
    
    Appendix--Field Structure
    
        Note: This appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal 
    Regulations.
    
        Under FSIS's current field structure, eighteen district offices 
    have replaced regional offices and import field offices, as specified 
    below.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Region                              District
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                DOMESTIC PRODUCTS
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Northeastern:
        Connecticut, Maine,             Boston, MA
         Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
         Rhode Island, and Vermont.
        Delaware, District of           Greenbelt, MD
         Columbia, Maryland, and
         Virginia (except for
         Northwestern part).
    
    [[Page 72356]]
    
     
        New Jersey and New York.......  Albany, NY
        Pennsylvania..................  Philadelphia, PA
    Southeastern
        Alabama, Mississippi, and       Jackson, MS
         Tennessee.
        Florida and Georgia...........  Atlanta, GA
        Kentucky and West Virginia....  Pickerington, OH
        North Carolina and South        Raleigh, NC
         Carolina.
        Virginia (Northwestern).......  Greenbelt, MD
        Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands  Boston, MA
    North Central:
        Illinois and Indiana..........  Chicago, IL
        Iowa..........................  Des Moines, IA
        Michigan and Wisconsin........  Madison, WI
        Minnesota.....................  Minneapolis, MN
        Ohio..........................  Pickerington, OH
    Southwestern:
        Arkansas, Louisiana, and        Springdale, AR
         Oklahoma.
        Kansas and Missouri...........  Lawrence, KS
        Nebraska......................  Des Moines, IA
        New Mexico....................  Boulder, CO
        Texas.........................  Dallas, TX
    Western:
        Alaska, American Samoa, Guam,   Salem, OR
         Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon,
         Northern Mariana Islands, and
         Washington.
        Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and  Boulder, CO
         Utah.
        California....................  Alameda, CA
        Montana, North Dakota, South    Minneapolis, MN
         Dakota, and Wyoming.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     IMPORTS
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IFO:
        New York, NY (#2).............  Albany, NY
        Philadelphia, PA (#3).........  Philadelphia, PA
        Miami, FL (#6)................  Atlanta, GA
        Long Beach, CA (#8)...........  Alameda, CA
        Tacoma, WA (#9)...............  Salem, OR
        Detroit, MI (#10).............  Madison, WI
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [FR Doc. 98-34358 Filed 12-30-98; 10:17 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/31/1998
Department:
Agricultural Marketing Service
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule with an opportunity to comment.
Document Number:
98-34358
Dates:
December 31, 1998. Submit comments by February 1, 1999.
Pages:
72352-72356 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-045F
PDF File:
98-34358.pdf
CFR: (135)
7 CFR 59.1
7 CFR 59.5
7 CFR 59.10
7 CFR 59.13
7 CFR 59.17
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