WASHINGTON, April 14, 2005 -Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of model food security plans and training that meat, poultry and egg processing plants can utilize to strengthen security measures and prevent potential acts of intentional contamination.

"Food security is a shared responsibility of USDA and our many partners to prevent or respond to the contamination of food products and we continue to make these efforts a priority," said Johanns. "By applying the principles contained in these plans, federal and state inspected plants can increase their own preparedness planning while doing their part to protect America's food supply."

The security of meat, poultry and egg processing facilities can be enhanced through the implementation of risk-management techniques tailored to each establishment's needs. Food security plans are valuable technical and operational resources that can help plant operators identify various types of preventive steps to minimize the risk of food product tampering or other criminal actions.

The model food security plans are being issued in the form of guidance documents and are voluntary. However, USDA strongly encourages all establishments operating under federal and state inspection programs to develop plans to fit their particular needs, as each plant may be vulnerable.

The model plans are designed for meat and poultry slaughter facilities, meat and poultry processing plants, egg processing plants and import facilities, which are available on the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov. The model plans are also intended to be used with other FSIS food security resources, such as food security guidelines and food security checklists that were developed over the past three years.

To assist the industry, especially small and very small establishments in developing food security plans, FSIS will conduct a series of training workshops throughout the nation in May, June and July 2005. FSIS also expects to broadcast some of the workshops via the internet in order to include more plant operators.

The purpose of the workshops is to provide additional guidance about the development and implementation of food security plans for meat, poultry and egg processing facilities, import establishments and identification warehouses. Tools such as the Model Food Security Plans, FSIS Industry Self-Assessment Checklist for Food Security and FSIS Directive 5420.1, Revision 1 (Food Security Verification Procedures) will be addressed during the half-day meetings.

For planning purposes, a tentative schedule has been created. Information on specific meeting locations and agendas will be posted on FSIS' web site, http://www.fsis.usda.gov, for each workshop.

Food Security Workshop Schedule

• May 14-Dallas, Texas
• May 21-Oakland, Calif.
• June 4-Chicago, Ill.
• June 25-Newark, NJ

FSIS highly recommends that attendees pre-register for the workshops by logging on to the web site http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News/Meetings_&_Events/ or by calling the toll-free registration number (800) 485-4424.