Penalty Matrix for Meat Inspection
For use beginning 8/1/2023
This matrix is used as a decision making tool in determining proposed administrative penalties.
This matrix is used as a decision making tool in determining proposed administrative penalties.
VT Notice 28-21 VERIFICATION OF ESTABLISHMENT PROCESSES FOR COLLECTING LIVESTOCK BLOOD FOR HUMAN FOOD
For use beginning 10/1/2021
This notice provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) on how to verify that edible blood is collected and handled in a manner to be fit for use in human food. This notice includes new information about a related proposed rule and clarifies that blood may not be defibrinated by hand.
This notice provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) on how to verify that edible blood is collected and handled in a manner to be fit for use in human food. This notice includes new information about a related proposed rule and clarifies that blood may not be defibrinated by hand.
VT Directive 10000 CWD Testing Program
For use beginning 10/01/2019
CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of captive and wild cervid animals in the United States and Canada. State and federal regulations currently require CWD testing of all cervid mortalities that are 12 months or older, except for fallow deer. This document outlines the policy of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) pertaining to CWD testing of captive cervids at slaughter in Vermont.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers cervid animals that test positive for CWD at post-mortem to be adulterated and not fit for human food under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Therefore, when a cervid animal is tested for CWD and slaughtered under voluntary inspection services, VAAFM cannot determine the wholesomeness of the carcass and parts without the CWD test results.
IPP are to retain, and not to apply or allow the establishment to apply the mark of inspection to carcasses of cervid animals, or parts thereof, until after “not detected” test results are received. IPP are to allow establishments to hold or further process (e.g., bone) these carcasses under inspection pending test results provided that the affected carcass or parts remain retained. IPP are to observe how the establishment addresses cross contamination during further processing of these products and ensure the carcass and parts are handled in a sanitary manner.
CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of captive and wild cervid animals in the United States and Canada. State and federal regulations currently require CWD testing of all cervid mortalities that are 12 months or older, except for fallow deer. This document outlines the policy of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) pertaining to CWD testing of captive cervids at slaughter in Vermont.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers cervid animals that test positive for CWD at post-mortem to be adulterated and not fit for human food under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Therefore, when a cervid animal is tested for CWD and slaughtered under voluntary inspection services, VAAFM cannot determine the wholesomeness of the carcass and parts without the CWD test results.
IPP are to retain, and not to apply or allow the establishment to apply the mark of inspection to carcasses of cervid animals, or parts thereof, until after “not detected” test results are received. IPP are to allow establishments to hold or further process (e.g., bone) these carcasses under inspection pending test results provided that the affected carcass or parts remain retained. IPP are to observe how the establishment addresses cross contamination during further processing of these products and ensure the carcass and parts are handled in a sanitary manner.
VT Notice 09-19 CHANGES TO THE MEAT REGULATIONS
For use beginning 8/1/2019
Expires when superseded
This notice announces two changes that FSIS has made in the regulations in 9 CFR. Per 6 V.S.A 3305(8), the federal meat inspection regulations and federal poultry inspection regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 3, 9 CFR §§ 300.1 et seq., together with any amendments, supplements, or revisions thereto, are adopted as part of this chapter.
Expires when superseded
This notice announces two changes that FSIS has made in the regulations in 9 CFR. Per 6 V.S.A 3305(8), the federal meat inspection regulations and federal poultry inspection regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 3, 9 CFR §§ 300.1 et seq., together with any amendments, supplements, or revisions thereto, are adopted as part of this chapter.
VT Notice 34-18 ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION REVIEWS OF AN OFFICIAL LIVESTOCK ESTABLISHMENT’S ROBUST SYSTEMATIC APPROACH PLAN FOR HUMANE HANDLING AND SLAUGHTER
For use beginning 7/1/2018
This notice provides instructions to Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) and inspection program personnel (IPP) about assessing and informing official livestock establishments whether their written systematic approach for humane handling and slaughter meets the criteria for being a robust plan or not. This notice provides instructions to Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs), inspection program personnel (IPP) and District Veterinary Medical Specialists (DVMSs) about assessing and informing official livestock establishments whether their written systematic approach for humane handling and slaughter meets the criteria for being a “robust” program. This notice also indicates the expected frequency for PHV verification reviews of an existing robust systematic approach to humane handling and slaughter.
This notice provides instructions to Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) and inspection program personnel (IPP) about assessing and informing official livestock establishments whether their written systematic approach for humane handling and slaughter meets the criteria for being a robust plan or not. This notice provides instructions to Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs), inspection program personnel (IPP) and District Veterinary Medical Specialists (DVMSs) about assessing and informing official livestock establishments whether their written systematic approach for humane handling and slaughter meets the criteria for being a “robust” program. This notice also indicates the expected frequency for PHV verification reviews of an existing robust systematic approach to humane handling and slaughter.
VT Notice VT 1-17 PROGRAM PERSONNEL HYGIENE AND BIOSECURITY PRACTICES
For use beginning 11/28/2017
This notice provides instructions to program personnel to fully comply with the same sanitation and hygiene regulations that the establishment or plant personnel must adhere to, and to fully comply with the sanitary and hygiene procedures and biosecurity measures put in place by an official meat or poultry establishment, an import inspection establishment, a retail establishment, a custom establishment, or any other food producing establishment that personnel visit in the performance of their inspection duties, that these facilities also require of all of their employees. Program personnel should be prepared to meet the requirements of the establishments they cover.
This notice provides instructions to program personnel to fully comply with the same sanitation and hygiene regulations that the establishment or plant personnel must adhere to, and to fully comply with the sanitary and hygiene procedures and biosecurity measures put in place by an official meat or poultry establishment, an import inspection establishment, a retail establishment, a custom establishment, or any other food producing establishment that personnel visit in the performance of their inspection duties, that these facilities also require of all of their employees. Program personnel should be prepared to meet the requirements of the establishments they cover.