FSIS NOTICE 13-06 3/3/06 
 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION OF HORSES AS A
VOLUNTARY REIMBURSABLE SERVICE 
 
 
NOTE: This Notice is not to be implemented until March 10, 2006.
 
PURPOSE 
This notice provides instructions to inspection program personnel 
regarding the performance of ante-mortem inspection of horses as a 
voluntary, reimbursable service. The inspection activities to be 
performed in the ante-mortem inspection of horses have not changed. 
 
BACKGROUND
Section 794 of the FY 2006 Appropriations Act states that, effective 
120 days after the date of its enactment (March 10, 2006), none of 
the FY 2006 appropriated funds may be used to pay the salaries or 
expenses of the inspection program personnel that conduct ante-
mortem inspection of horses.
 
Post-mortem inspection and other inspection activities authorized by 
the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) at official establishments 
that slaughter horses will continue to be paid for with appropriated 
funds, except for overtime or holiday inspection services.
 
APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION OF HORSES FOR 
OFFICIAL ESTABLISHMENTS THAT SLAUGHTER HORSES
 
On February 8, 2006, FSIS published an interim final rule, Ante-
Mortem Inspection of Horses. Under the interim final rule, an 
official establishment that wishes to slaughter horses is to apply 
for voluntary ante-mortem inspection according to 9 CFR 352.3. Such 
establishments must pay the applicable base time, overtime, and 
holiday rates for ante-mortem inspection in accordance with 9 CFR 
352.5 and must meet all applicable requirements in 9 CFR 352.8 and 
352.9 to receive voluntary ante-mortem inspection. Under 9 CFR 
352.8, such establishments are required to notify the District 
Manager or designee, in advance, of the hours when ante-mortem 
inspection is desired and are required to provide inspection program 
personnel access at all times to every part of the official 
establishment. Under 9 CFR 352.9, official establishments that 
slaughter horses and request voluntary ante-mortem inspection as a 
reimbursable service are to complete FSIS Form 5200-6, 
Application/Approval for Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection Service. 
 
FSIS can deny or withdraw ante-mortem inspection services at horse 
slaughter establishments for any applicable reason under 9 CFR 352.6.
 
All requirements in the regulations authorized by the FMIA that 
pertain to official establishments that slaughter horses will 
continue to apply.
 
 
INSPECTION PROGRAM PERSONNEL INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
 
Inspection program personnel are to continue to conduct all 
inspection activities, including ante-mortem inspection, in 
accordance with the requirements of the FMIA and applicable Federal 
meat inspection regulations, including regulations pertaining to 
humane handling. Therefore, the official marks and devices used to 
identify federally-inspected and passed horse carcasses and parts of 
horse carcasses, and horse meat food products will continue to be 
those set forth in 9 CFR 312.3. 
 
 
FEES AND CHARGES
 
Fees for ante-mortem inspection of horses will be charged for the 
time required to render the service, including travel time used in 
connection with providing the service. Reimbursable charges will be 
recorded on FSIS Form 5110-1, Services Rendered, by the FSIS 
employee as described in FSIS Directive 5110.1. Fees are charged and 
collected for ante-mortem inspection service in accordance with 9 
CFR 352.5 at the rates specified in 9 CFR 391.2 and 391.3 
(respectively) for base time and for overtime, including Saturdays, 
Sundays and holidays. A separate FSIS Form 5110-1 will be required 
to record the billable reimbursable services for the ante-mortem 
inspection of horses. 
 
 
RECORDING CHARGES
 
A new Program Code (formally Management Code) is being established 
for each plant requesting ante-mortem inspection of horses services. 
These program codes must be used for all expenses associated with 
the ante-mortem inspection services. Each inspector performing these 
services must use the new program code on their Time and Attendance 
(T&A) Reports, FSIS Form 5110-1, Travel Vouchers, SF-1164 (Claim for 
Reimbursement) for all time that they spend on ante-mortem 
inspection. Any other associated charges for direct use supplies in 
ante-mortem inspection must also be charged to the appropriate 
program code. The following program codes have been established for 
Fiscal Year 2006:
 
 
5652K16 - Beltex - Ante-Mortem Horse Insp-T
5652k26 - Dallas Crown - Ante-Mortem Horse Insp-T
5722K16 - Cavel International - Ante-Mortem Horse Insp-T 
 
 
 
 
Philip S. Derfler /s/
 
 
Assistant Administrator
Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development
 
DISTRIBUTION: Inspection Offices; T/A Inspectors; Plant Mgt; T/A 
Plant Mgt; TRA; ABB; TSC; Import Offices NOTICE EXPIRES: 4/1/07 OPI: 
OPPED