House Appropriations Committee urges USDA to finalize modernized poultry inspection rule

During its consideration of the 2014 Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Bill, the full House Appropriations Committee today adopted an amendment urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move forward on its proposed rule to modernize poultry inspection. The amendment, offered by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), passed by voice vote with a bipartisan majority. “Rep. Kingston and the members of the committee from both sides of the aisle are to be commended for their support of modernizing a poultry inspection system that has been in place since 1957,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown.  “In an effort to continue our progress towards reducing foodborne illnesses, we believe, and the committee recognizes, that the poultry inspection system should be modernized to transition to a model that is more science and risk-based.”  Read More