Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the regulations that prescribe the maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) to allow NPIS young chicken and turkey establishments to operate at more efficient line speeds. The regulations currently only allow establishments that slaughter young chickens or turkeys to operate under the NPIS without a regulatory waiver, and they only allow establishments that slaughter young chickens to operate under the Streamlined Inspection System (SIS) without a regulatory waiver. FSIS is proposing to amend the regulations to allow establishments that slaughter any poultry, except ratites, to operate under the NPIS and to allow establishments that slaughter any poultry, except turkeys or ratites, to operate under the SIS. This action will be deregulatory under E.O. 14192. A regulatory requirement and its associated incremental costs to industry will be eliminated.