FSIS Issues Six Enforcement Related Directives

FSIS issued six new directives this week that provide new and additional guidance to inspection personnel. The directives are particularly focused on agency enforcement activities. The directives issued are:

● 8010.1 - Methodology for Conducting In-Commerce Surveillance Activities. This directive provides instructions on the methodologies used by program investigators for surveillance, monitoring and verification activities.

● 8010.2 - Investigative Methodology. This directive provides the methodologies that program investigators will apply when conducting investigations of allegations, apparent violations or incidents relating to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and other laws and regulations.

● 8010.3 - Procedures for Evidence Collection, Safeguarding and Disposal. This directive provides instructions to program investigators to use when collecting, safeguarding and disposing of evidence.

● 8010.4 - Report of Investigation. This directive provides instructions to program investigators on the style, format and procedures that they should follow when preparing a report of investigation.

● 8010.5 - Case Referral and Disposition. This directive describes the procedures and methodologies that program investigators should follow for determining actions on reports of investigations, including referral to the Office of the General Counsel and the Department of Justice for criminal, civil and administrative enforcement actions.

● 8010.2 - Detention and Seizure. This directive provides the procedures that program investigators should follow when detaining or preparing a recommendation to seize meat, poultry and egg products found in commerce.

To view these directives and notice, visit FSIS’ Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.