NFPA president also urges Congress to remove "unnecessary layers of regulation" from FSIS



In Congressional testimony, National Food Processors Association President John Cady voiced support for increased funding of food safety inspection programs, with priority given to research, risk assessment, education and surveillance. "Such priority setting will ensure that the Agency's limited resources will be targeted toward reducing risk associated with food borne illness," Cady said. He also noted that NFPA supports adequate resources for the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), but added that further reforms are needed at the agency to ensure that "unnecessary layers of regulation are promptly removed." In particular, Cady took issue with new user fees contained in the administration's FY 2002 budget which he says have not been authorized by Congress. Cady noted that Congress has not authorized the fees, paid by food processors, in the past and he urged lawmakers to reject them this time as well.

Sidebar:
EPA extends comment period on feedlot proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period on a proposal to reduce water pollution from large animal feedlot operations. The 75-day extended comment period will allow public comments through July 30, 2001. EPA proposed new water pollution permitting controls in January that would apply to large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), typically defined as having 1,000 cattle or comparable "animal units" of other livestock. Throughout March, EPA held eight public meetings across the country to provide additional information and encourage public comment on the proposal. EPA is providing the additional public comment opportunity based on requests at these meetings for more time to study and comment on the proposed Clean Water Act permitting requirements and CAFO definitions.