Mandatory Inspection of Ratites and Squabs

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Poultry Products Inspection Regulations (Part 381) and the Voluntary Poultry Inspection Regulations (Part 362) to include ratites and squabs under the mandatory poultry products inspection regulations. The Agency is responding to the FY 2001 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (the Appropriations Act), signed by the President on October 28, 2000, which provides that 180 days after the date of its enactment, U.S. establishments slaughtering or processing ratites or squabs for distribution into commerce as human food will be subject to the requirements of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), rather than the voluntary poultry inspection program under section 203 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA). The provision of the Appropriations Act specifying that ratites and squabs come under the Agency's mandatory inspection requirements is effective on April 26, 2001. Interested parties may comment on this interim final rule.