WASHINGTON — The National Chicken Council (NCC) formally requested an additional 90-day extension of the comment period for the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) proposed Salmonella Framework.

The trade association stated in its letter that it was pleased when the agency announced it would hold two webinars about the proposed rule, “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.” And in a Constituent Update in August, FSIS explained that participants in the webinar would have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions or technical questions during those meetings on Sept. 9 and 10.

Yet, Ashley Peterson, PhD, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for NCC, said the webinar failed to provide meaningful insights or clarification on most of the clarifying and technical questions asked by participants, including representatives from very small, small, and large establishments, public health officials, trade association representatives, and other stakeholders.

“NCC and our member companies made great efforts to develop and submit questions that would have been very helpful in aiding the industry’s understanding of the proposal,” Peterson added. “However, these webinars failed to fulfill their announced goal, as most clarifying and technical questions remain unanswered. In sum, it is evident that there are more questions than answers at this point. The lack of clarity around many aspects of the proposal directly impedes NCC’s and our members’ ability to meaningfully comment on the proposal.”

Peterson also noted that the webinars showed that FSIS had limited guidance to offer the industry on how FSIS would implement the proposal as written.

In August, FSIS announced that it would extend the comment period for its proposed rule until Nov. 7, 2024. But last week, Congressional Chicken Caucus co-chairs, Representatives Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.), sent a letter to the USDA requesting a 180-day extension for the agency’s proposed rule, moving the deadline for comments to April 4, 2025.

NCC officials concluded that there’s still “voluminous” information to read and analyze by experts in the industry.

“In light of the agency continuing to encourage feedback on the proposed Salmonella Framework, additional time is needed to provide the agency with the type of feedback required for a proposal of this magnitude,” Peterson said.