Meat and Poultry Inspection Receives Full Funding for FY 2002.

The President’s FY2002 Budget Request demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to food safety. The President’s $715.6 million request for meat and poultry inspection was fully funded by the House of Representatives in July, and an additional $5.1 million was approved. The $25.5 million in additional funding requested by the President and approved by the House over the FY 2001 level will facilitate the expansion of the National Residue Program, provide for increased on-site audits of foreign inspection programs, and provide a 4.6 percent pay increase for employees.

Submitted Regulations to Further Food Safety

In February, USDA re-submitted a proposed regulation to require meat and poultry processing establishments to conduct testing for Listeria. In order to facilitate public input and gather additional information, a public meeting was held to obtain additional scientific information and analytical data that could help strengthen the scientific foundation of the rule.