USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to add Honduras to the list of countries eligible to export poultry products to the United States.
The FSIS review of Honduras’ laws, regulations, and inspection system provides a basis to conclude that Honduras’ poultry slaughter inspection system is equivalent to the system FSIS has established under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and its implementing regulations.
Under this proposal, Honduras would be eligible to export raw poultry products, such as whole carcasses, to the United States. However, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) animal disease regulations prohibit Honduras from shipping raw poultry to the United States. Therefore, should this rule become final, no product would be shipped until these animal disease restrictions are lifted.
Public comments are being accepted and must be received within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register and may be submitted online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments may be submitted by mail to: Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Comments may also be submitted by hand or courier-delivery to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS 2015-0016.
