Harkin Says Rethink Inspection Cuts

March 28, 2000

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) wants USDA and the White House to rethink the administration's proposal to reduce the number of meat and poultry processing inspections and the inspector workforce. USDA hasn't demonstrated that it's able to meet food safety needs with a reduced force, says Harkin.

"While I agree that targeting inspector assignments on the basis of risk could help reduce food borne illness risk, USDA hasn't yet demonstrated that it has such a prioritization system in place," he told Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew. "Making these cuts prematurely could expose consumers to higher risks."

USDA should demonstrate that such changes will improve food safety before any such decisions about reductions. The plans seem especially questionable in light of continuing problems of bacterial contamination of meat and poultry processed products, he added.

Harkin called on USDA and OMB to find out:

--Why USDA and the administration propose to cut inspections at processing establishments and to reduce the inspector workforce at this time, and how it is justified;

--If USDA developed a risk-based ranking system for meat and poultry plants;

--What USDA and the administration have done to solicit public input in making these decisions.

Harkin wants a response in two weeks.