OTHER NEWS - June 21, 1995

Meat Inspection Proposals Spark Controversy: The U.S. Department of Agriculture rules would introduce broad testing for bacteria in meat into federal inspection, ending decades of reliance on a system based on touch, sight and smell. Meat companies have complained that the rule was developed confrontationally and that small firms would go out of business trying to meet the bacteria standards. Meat industry lobbyists are also trying to have the rule stopped through regulatory reform or new meat inspection legislation. Consumer groups say the industry’s complaints are just a delay tactic. Rep. James Walsh (R-N.Y.) said last week that he will introduce an amendment to stop the rule when the House Appropriations Committee meets Thursday to decide on USDA spending.