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NPPC supports rule to modernize swine inspection

The USDA is taking comment on a new swine slaughter inspection proposal which has the support of the National Pork Producers Council. NPPC veterinarian and technology director Dan Kovich tells Brownfield it would allow plants and USDA’s F-S-I-S inspectors to better allocate their food safety resources, “Plant employees can go on the line and do more of the routine food safety checks, the wholesomeness checks that FSIS inspectors otherwise would have done. Still, of course, under the supervision of FSIS.”

Kovich says that will free up FSIS inspectors, “To focus on other food safety activities that FSIS feels, and we would certainly agree with, are better uses of their time to ensure food safety. And, also, of course, to do animal welfare checks in the plants as well.”

The USDA says the system has been running in five U.S. hog slaughter plants as a pilot project for many years, showing fewer potential food safety problems. It is a voluntary program. The proposal is open for a 60-day comment period. The USDA is requiring testing for new pathogens at ALL hog slaughter plants.

AUDIO: Interview with Dan Kovich~