Parker Waichman LLP

USDA User Fees Could Pay for Meat Recalls, Additional Testing

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) could soon start assessing user fees to pay for meat inspections and other food safety initiatives.  There were over 52 meat recalls last year, 21 of which involved E. coli tainted meat.  Ten of the meat recalls were the result of routine USDA testing.  As a result, the USDA […]

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) could soon start assessing user fees to pay for meat inspections and other food safety initiatives.  There were over 52 <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">meat recalls last year, 21 of which involved E. coli tainted meat.  Ten of the meat recalls were the result of routine USDA testing.  As a result, the USDA has expanded testing and has begun recalling infected meat more rapidly in order to fight E. coli.   To help pay for stepped up testing programs, the White House has proposed two new user fees that would allot $96 million to help pay for additional meat inspections.  The White House said the proposal, which requires congressional approval, would generate fees that would reduce future appropriation needs.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) oversees about 20 percent of the food supply, including eggs, red meat, and poultry. The agency currently employs approximately 7,800 federal inspectors.  Each year, the USDA tests thousands of meat and poultry products for bacteria, including E. coli 0157:H7. E. Coli  Strain 0157:H7 is quite virulent and produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness and even death and is the leading cause of food and waterborne illness in the United States.

In its fiscal 2009 budget, the Bush administration proposed a plan that is expected to generate $92 million of the $96 million through a licensing fee that all meat plants would pay based on production levels.  The additional $4 million would be collected from plants that require additional testing, have recalls, or inspections linked to an outbreak of food-borne illnesses.  “Every other facility in this country that can impact your health or any other person that can impact your health…has to have a license,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Raymond. Meat plants “bear some responsibility to pay for part of their inspection fee.”

Of last year’s recalls, the largest involved 21.7 million pounds (9.8 million kg) of ground beef distributed by Topps Meat Company.  The Topps Meat Company recall turned out to be the fifth-largest meat or poultry recall in U.S. history and led to nearly 100 illnesses in Canada and the United States.  The USDA came under fire during the Topps debacle for delaying the recall for several weeks  after tests showed Topps meat was linked to the E. coli outbreak.  Federal investigators said the company failed to require adequate testing of raw beef purchased from domestic suppliers and it sometimes mixed tested and untested meat in its grinding machines.

In its budget proposal, the Bush administration proposed $952 million for the FSIS, representing an increase of $22 million from fiscal year 2008.  The fiscal year begins on October 1.  Overall, the FSIS would make up a small fraction of the proposed $94.8 billion Agriculture Department budget in fiscal 2009.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I'm a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.
damarr doyle
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness
Thomas Carbone
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Very good firm specially if you get helped by Frank Domado !!!
P “Ghost” O
a year ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038