WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a meeting with Senator Susan Collins, Mike Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committed to holding a listening session in Maine next month to discuss the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules.
"After meeting with the FDA Deputy Commissioner, I am pleased that FDA has agreed to my request to work with the Maine Department of Agriculture to hold a listening session in Maine in August," said Senator Collins, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. "This will be an opportunity for Maine stakeholders, such as organic farmers and apple growers, to better understand the proposed rules. Food safety provides valuable consumer protections and stakeholder feedback is essential for helping ensure that the rules meet the needs of all New England producers without imposing onerous regulations, especially on small farms and processors."
Background:
In May, Senator Collins joined several Senate and House colleagues in urging FDA to hold a public hearing and listening session in New England on the FSMA proposed rules. The letter pointed out the substantial financial and regulatory burdens that could be imposed by some provisions in the rule on New England's small farms and value-added on-farm enterprises. On July 9, FDA responded to the May letter and indicated the agency's intent to conduct a series of listening sessions in New England later this summer. At Senator Collins' urging, FDA has agreed to host a listening session in Maine in August and will work with Maine Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb to determine the exact date and location.
In January 2013, FDA proposed two FSMA rules: preventive controls for human food and standards for produce safety. FDA extended the public comment period through September 16, 2013.