Code of Federal Regulations Title 9 - Animals and Animal Products
Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), titled "Animals and Animal Products," is a comprehensive collection of regulations issued by federal agencies concerning various aspects of animal health, welfare, and products in the United States. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the food supply, preventing the spread of animal diseases, and promoting humane treatment of animals.
The primary federal agency responsible for issuing and enforcing most of the regulations in Title 9 is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), particularly two of its key agencies:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): APHIS focuses on protecting animal health, preventing the spread of animal diseases (both foreign and domestic), and regulating animal welfare.
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): FSIS is responsible for ensuring the safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products for human consumption.
Structure and Key Subchapters within Title 9 CFR:
Title 9 is organized into several chapters and subchapters, each addressing specific areas of regulation. Here's a breakdown of the main areas you'll find:
Chapter I - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture (APHIS, USDA)
This is the largest chapter and covers a wide range of APHIS responsibilities. It's further divided into several subchapters:
Subchapter A: Animal Welfare (Parts 1-12)
Animal Welfare Act (AWA): This subchapter contains regulations implementing the AWA, which sets standards for the humane care and treatment of certain animals (e.g., those used in research, exhibited to the public, or bred for commercial sale as pets).
Horse Protection Act: Regulations to prevent the soring of horses (a painful practice used to enhance gait).
These parts cover definitions, general regulations, standards for various animal species (e.g., dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, nonhuman primates, marine mammals), and rules of practice for enforcement proceedings.
Subchapter B: Cooperative Control and Eradication of Livestock or Poultry Diseases (Parts 49-56)
Focuses on preventing and eradicating dangerous animal diseases that can impact livestock and poultry industries.
Includes regulations for diseases like Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Pseudorabies, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and Avian Influenza.
Covers procedures for animal destruction, indemnity payments to owners, and control measures.
Subchapter C: Interstate Transportation of Animals (Including Poultry) and Animal Products (Parts 70-89)
Regulates the movement of animals and animal products across state lines to prevent the spread of diseases.
Includes general provisions, specific requirements for various animal species (e.g., cattle, horses, swine, poultry), and restrictions related to communicable diseases.
Subchapter D: Exportation and Importation of Animals (Including Poultry) and Animal Products (Parts 91-99)
Governs the import and export of live animals, animal products, semen, and embryos to protect U.S. animal health and comply with international trade agreements.
Includes inspection requirements, restrictions based on disease status of foreign regions, and sanitation standards.
Subchapter E: Viruses, Serums, Toxins, and Analogous Products; Organisms and Vectors (Parts 101-124)
Regulates the manufacture, distribution, and use of veterinary biological products (like vaccines, diagnostic kits, and antitoxins) to ensure their purity, safety, potency, and efficacy.
Covers licensing, permitting, production requirements, facility standards, and inspection.
Also includes rules for the possession, use, and transfer of certain biological agents and toxins that could pose a threat to animal or public health.
Subchapter F: User Fees (Part 130)
Details the fees charged by APHIS for various services related to imports, exports, and other regulatory activities.
Chapter III - Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture (FSIS, USDA)
This chapter primarily focuses on the mandatory inspection of meat, poultry, and egg products to ensure they are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled for human consumption.
Subchapter A: Agency Organization and Terminology; Mandatory Meat and Poultry Products Inspection and Voluntary Inspection and Certification (Parts 300-381)
Covers the organizational structure of FSIS and general definitions.
Lays out the fundamental requirements for mandatory inspection of meat and poultry products under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.
Includes rules for voluntary inspection and certification programs.
Subchapter E: Regulatory Requirements Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act (Parts 412-500)
Details specific regulations concerning:
Sanitation standards for slaughter and processing establishments.
Humane handling of animals prior to slaughter.
Inspection procedures (ante-mortem and post-mortem).
Product formulation and labeling requirements.
Handling of adulterated or misbranded products.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems for food safety.
Subchapter F: Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the Order Siluriformes and Products of Such Fish (Parts 530-561)
Specific regulations for the inspection of Siluriformes fish (catfish) and their products, which were transferred from FDA to FSIS jurisdiction.
Subchapter I: Egg Products Inspection (Parts 590-592)
Covers the mandatory inspection of egg products (processed eggs) to ensure their safety and wholesomeness. This is distinct from shell eggs, which are primarily regulated by the FDA.
Title 9 CFR is a dynamic set of regulations, frequently updated to address emerging animal health threats, advancements in food processing technology, and changes in agricultural practices. It serves as the backbone of federal oversight for animals and animal products in the U.S.
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