USDA Proposes to Amend Quality Systems Verification Programs; Invite Public Comments

Date
November 04, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend 7 CFR parts 56, 62, and 70 to enhance the Quality Systems Verification Programs (QSVP) and to include commodities authorized under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

In 2013, the Livestock and Seed Program merged with Poultry Programs to create the AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) Program.  Prior to the merger, both programs administered parallel QSVP services to their respective industries.  Further, in 2014, the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an audit of one particular QSVP, the USDA Process Verified Program (PVP), which resulted in recommendations for improvement to the USDA PVP.

As a result of the merger, the OIG audit, and routine improvement activities, AMS proposes amendments to 7 CFR part 62 ‘Quality Systems Verification Programs.’  Amendments include: removing the reference to “Livestock, Meat, and Other Commodities” from the regulation title; defining the type of programs and services offered under QSVP; and updating administrative items relating to the merger.

AMS also proposes amendments to 7 CFR part 56 ‘Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs’ and 7 CFR part 70 ‘Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit Products.’  Amendments would remove references to audit activities as those would be fully covered within 7 CFR part 62.

The proposed rule will be published in the Nov. 7, 2016, Federal Register.  Comments may be posted at www.regulations.gov, or sent to: Jeffrey Waite, Chief, Auditing Services Branch, Quality Assessment Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 3932-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20250-0258.  All comments should reference the docket number AMS-LPS-15-0057, the date of submission, and the page number of the Federal Register issue.

Comments received will be posted without change, including any personal information provided.  Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or at www.regulations.gov.  Comments must be received by Jan. 6, 2016.

Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program