In addition, I ve had the opportunity to see tangible improvements in the safety of the products USDA regulates, and I m pleased that we are here today to continue that progress. Despite the success we have seen, we knew from the very beginning that the implementation phase from 1996 to 2000 would be just that. FSIS and industry recognized we would have to evaluate our initial work and make improvements. The recent Listeria outbreak further emphasizes this. This holds true with our entire food safety strategy whether it involves risk assessment, risk management, or risk communication.
Nothing is static.
That is why this public meeting is so important. There have been several reviews that have been conducted by FSIS as well as outside organizations that have pointed out some areas that need close scrutiny as potential areas for revision or change. As always, we would very much like your input as we proceed with this task. Of course, this is a time of change for the country, and it is difficult to predict what the future holds. But as I told the Institute of Food Technologists last month, I believe the prospects for maintaining the gains and achieving further progress are good because the public will demand it, regardless of politics.