I am Phil Derfler, Deputy Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service's Office of Policy, Program Development, and Evaluation. FSIS Administrator Tom Billy could not be here today, but I am pleased to be speaking in his place. I would like to thank everyone for coming. After all, this meeting is going to be different than a lot of Agency meetings. You will be doing the work, and we will be doing the listening.
Residue control is an issue that affects consumers and industry in the United States and abroad.
Thus, it is vital that all concerns are raised, so that FSIS can consider them as it develops its program. Current Residue Control Program Let me begin with a short description of the current residue control program. Safe drug levels are set by the Food and Drug Administration and safe pesticide levels by the Environmental Protection Agency. FSIS enforces these levels through its inspections and, in particular, through its National Residue Program. Under this program, meat, poultry, and egg products are tested for unacceptable residues from pesticides, animal drugs, or potentially hazardous chemicals.