AAMP, along with other industry groups and representatives from a working group of scientists, met with FSIS recently. We began dialogue on the Revised Appendix A & B documents and where we felt the agency was off with their science and the negative affect it would have on the industry, especially for small processors.
We presented some alternatives, as well as some scientific studies, that would support our thoughts. FSIS was receptive of our comments and the work that we are doing, so we moved forward in our efforts to get the studies finished. Our group of industry associations has since sent a letter to FSIS with more thoughts and details. We are awaiting a response, along with a date to meet again in Washington. With the compliance deadline date coming in March, we are pushing to get answers or to get the date pushed back so we can have time to properly finish the studies and gather the necessary facts to present to FSIS.