SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
HEALTH BASED INSPECTION IN SLAUGHTER PLANTSThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a public meeting Aug. 7 at George Mason University Arlington, Virginia to discuss public health based inspection in slaughter plants. FSIS intends to enhance its inspection system and to implement new, science-based policies. FSIS is considering proposing a new inspection system in slaughter establishments that will improve public health. Although rulemaking is not expected immediately, FSIS is seeking public input on the ideas, concepts, data, and analyses that it will use to form the basis for a technical plan and, in turn, to inform the rulemaking process. The public meeting will afford FSIS and its stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the rationale and process for the agency's enhanced approach, as well as for the Agency to present the background that has lead the Agency to its current thinking on the concept. In addition, the Agency will present the scientific foundations for future decision-making, including how to address Salmonella and Campylobacter and the use of generic E. coli as an indicator of process control. Online registration and the agenda will be available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Meetings_&_Events/index.asp RULING ON PROCESSING "DOWNER" CATTLEThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a permanent prohibition on the slaughter of cattle that are unable to stand or walk ("downer" cattle) when presented for pre-slaughter inspection. The inability to stand or walk can be a clinical sign of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Under the rule, cattle that are injured after they pass pre-slaughter inspection will be reevaluated to determine their eligibility for slaughter. Veal calves that cannot stand because they are tired or cold may be set apart and held for treatment and re-inspection. The rule published in the July 13 Federal Register makes permanent what had been an interim final rule prohibiting slaughter of non-ambulatory cattle in the United States. The final rule becomes effective Oct. 1, 2007. "This final rule further strengthens our public health controls at slaughter plants across the United States," said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "Less than three weeks after the December 2003 BSE detection in an imported cow, USDA moved quickly and decisively to put in place interim rules that greatly reduced the risk of human exposure. Experience has borne-out that these interim steps were correct and should be made permanent." FSIS will conduct outreach sessions with industry to ensure that the provisions of the final rule are fully understood by all affected establishments. NEW MARKETING SERVICE WEBSITEThe Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will launch a newly designed website, with a scheduled completion date of Monday, July 30, 2007. This change affects all Branches of the Livestock and Seed Program (LSP) including the Audit, Review, and Compliance (ARC) Branch. This means that the current links to LSP and ARC Branch will no longer work. The main AMS URL will still work and can be accessed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov. However to access the ARC Branch home page will only be available through the LSP home page at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsprogram. Once on the ARC Branch home page you will need to search for the ARC Branch Program pages that you access frequently, including all Quality Systems Verification Program Official Listings. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASESEffective July 24, 2007 the minimum wage will become $5.85 per hour. All employers regardless of size are required to post the latest Minimum Wage poster. Many states have minimum wage laws and where an employee is subject to both the state and federal, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. Florida’s minimum wage is $6.67, which is higher than the Federal minimum. The Department of Labor (DOL) provides free electronic and printed copies of required notices and posters. To obtain notices, posters or other information contact the DOL’s Office of Small Business Programs at their website www.dol.gov/osbp/welcome.htm. Each state has its own required documents that must be posted. Contact your state for information about labor laws at www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm. HOUSE APPROVES FARM BILLThe U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the U.S. Farm Bill. The bill allows states with meat inspection programs that are “identical” to Federal inspection program to ship meat and poultry products to other states. This is also a victory for the lawmakers that have pushed for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE LEAVEAs of July 1st, Florida employers with 50 or more employees must give employees, that have worked a minimum of three months, three days of job-protected leave if they or a household member is a victim of domestic violence. The leave does not require to be paid and it can be deducted from their vacation, personal-leave or sick-days. NETWORKINGNetworking is a long-term process and no matter how high you go on the corporate ladder you need to network. It is more than just handing out business cards. Fortunes are made, delayed and decayed by the quality of social networks. Here are a few Cool Ideas for networking from Michael Angelo Caruso, author of “5 Cool Ideas”. You are whom you meet. AAMP HONORS STEVE KRUTStephen Krut, former Executive Director of the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), was awarded the 2007 AAMP Achievement Award at the July AAMP Convention. Steve began his service with AAMP in 1974 as the Public Relations Director and was appointed Executive Director. Steve retired from AAMP in December of 2006. SEMA is an affiliate member of AAMP. REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSIONSmall and very small plant owners and operators are invited to join FSIS inspection personnel at regulatory education sessions to bring industry and inspection personnel together to promote a uniform understanding of the regulations. As part of the initiative to enhance outreach to assist small and very small plants outlined in the FSIS strategic implementation plan (PDF Only), FSIS is holding a series of regulatory education sessions. For more information, call 800.336.3747 or check www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events. To register call 800.336.3747 or for online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp. Dothan, AL: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 6:00-9:00 p.m. Phone: (334)794-6601 Chattanooga, TN: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 6:00-9:00 p.m. Phone: (423)
643-1290 Web Seminar: For more information, call 800.336.3747
or check www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events. A NOTE FROM THE SEMA PRESIDENTStrength in Numbers However unfortunate, it may be the fact is that the small voice is the one that is lost these days. With politicians, government administrations, activist groups, and the like, the right to be heard is directly linked with numbers in the crowd. Retention and growth is the life of this organization. Processors - use the face time you have with potential members, suppliers or vendors, to relay the benefits of SEMA. Associates - spend a minute of time explaining what your customers could get out of SEMA; ask another vendor on the road to join. Together we can be heard, but more importantly, with strength in numbers that voice will be influential. Scott Downing SEMA INDUSTRY NEWSIf your company has something to share or information to update please send it to the SEMA office and we will post it. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc. Southeastern Meat Association re-elected its Board of Directors and added Chris Huff from Flanders Provision. Executive officers elected: President Scott Downing – Lowell Packing, Vice-President Scott Kelley – Kelley Foods of AL, Treasurer Wayne Lord – Lord’s Sausage & Country Hams and Chairman of the Board Adam Chernin – Central Beef LLC. University of Florida: Dr. Chad Carr has accepted the State Meat Extension Specialist position. Dr. Carr is a native of Tennessee where he grew up on a farm whose principle crops were cattle and swine. Chad went to Oklahoma State University where he received his bachelor degree in Animal Science and a master degree in Meat Science. He then moved to the University of Missouri and earned, in May of 2006, his PHD in Meat Science. For the past year Chad has been working for the University of Missouri in the capacity of a post doctorate program. Chad is engaged to Kathy with the wedding date scheduled for September 15, 2007. Food Defense Plan, available on the FSIS website, is a guide that provides an easy, practical, and achievable three-step method for creating a food defense plan. By completing pages 13 -16 of the guide, you will have a plan specific for your operation. The guide can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov then click on Small and Very Small Plants. SEMA ATTENDEES SHARING IDEASThe SEMA convention attendees learned ways to achieve more at the table-topics breakfast moderated by Chris Salamone from John R White Company. While enjoying breakfast each table picked a topic that is a concern to our industry and came up with solutions. Following are a few table topic ideas:
At the end of the session it was concluded that a company’s employees must know and share the company’s stands and values, for them to pay in to the company and for the company to be successful. A successful convention is only as good as the attendees. Mark your calendars for next year’s convention: The Club at Hammock
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