NMA: RISK-BASED INSPECTION EVALUATION

OAKLAND, CA – National Meat Association participated in a briefing by Under Secretary Richard Raymond this morning on USDA’s announcement that it is unveiling its Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Program and is planning an April start date in 30 prototype locations and involving 250 official establishments. Dr. Raymond also presented his plans on Risk-Based Inspection to National Meat Association two days ago at MEATXPO ’07.

The agency has developed an algorithm to determine levels of risk using data in its system along with inherent product risk and volume at plants that further process meat and poultry. RBI will not impact harvesting facilities that are required to meet ante- and post-mortem inspection. 

“National Meat Association supports the concept of RBI, which theoretically allows the agency to vary intensity of its inspection services,” said NMA Associate Director, Regulatory Ken Mastracchio. “NMA will evaluate the agency’s plan, and will work closely with its members that are designated within the system to participate.”

National Meat Association participated in a two-day meeting last October when USDA presented its preliminary plans and invited input into this project. Today’s announcement of next steps will be accompanied by changes in the plan discussed last year that respond to the input received from all parties.

National Meat Association is a non-profit trade association. Since 1946, NMA has represented meat packers and processors, equipment manufacturers and food suppliers who provide services to the meat industry. The association has members throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia and Mexico.

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