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The 2008 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 110-246, sec. 11016), amended the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) to make "catfish" a species amenable to the FMIA and, therefore, subject to FSIS inspection. In addition, the 2008 Farm Bill gave FSIS the authority to define the term "catfish." On February 24, 2011, FSIS published a proposed rule that outlined a mandatory catfish inspection program and presented two options for defining "catfish." The 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-79, sec. 12106), amended the FMIA to remove the term "catfish" and to make "all fish of the order Siluriformes" subject to FSIS jurisdiction and inspection. As a result, FSIS inspection of Siluriformes is mandated by law and non-discretionary.

Overall Description of Deadline: The Agriculture Act of 2014 directs the Department to publish final regulations not later than 60 days after the date of enactment.

Statement of Need: The 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills amended the Federal Meat Inspection Act, making all fish of the order Siluriformes amenable species to the FMIA, requiring FSIS inspection.

Summary of the Legal Basis: 21 U.S.C. 601 to 695, Public Law 110-246, section 11016, Public Law 113-79, section 12106.

Alternatives: The option of no rulemaking is unavailable.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: FSIS anticipates benefits from uniform standards and the more extensive and intensive inspection service it will provide. The requirements for imported Siluriformes will be equivalent to those applied to domestically raised and processed fish of this type.

Risks: In the final rule, the Agency will consider any risks to public health or other pertinent risks associated with the production, processing, and distribution of catfish and catfish products.