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In 1982,
United States Department of Agriculture-Food Safety
Inspection Service began working with the beef industry in
the United States to develop the Pre-harvest Beef Safety
Production Program to avoid any additional governmental
regulatory programs. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has grown
to include well over 90 percent of the beef production in
the United States at some stage of production.
Between
1982 and 1985, three feedlots targeted evaluation of their
production practices and with the help of the USDA-FSIS
assessed the residue risks. In 1985, after careful analysis
and adjustment of some production practices, these three
feedlots were certified by the USDA-FSIS as Production
Control feedlots. What was learned during those three years
now serves as the backbone for the National Cattlemen’s Beef
Association (NCBA) BQA Program.
While
the BQA Program was developing, Pillsbury was working on a
quality control program that used many of the same
principles. Their program, the Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Program, gained USDA acceptance and is
presently the regulatory requirement for processing beef.
All packing plants have developed HACCP programs.
Currently all meat industries face similar problems and
concerns. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Programs
are now required in all meat packing plants. Future HACCP
concepts will affect feedlot producers, backgrounders, and
the cow/calf producers. This will evolve as packing plants
address risks associated with procured cattle.
Certification and verification of a producer’s BQA/CMP
program and product will bring production practices in line
with industry standards.
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