Privatization of In-plant Seafood Inspections and Related Services

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NOAA announces that it will change the way it delivers in- plant seafood inspections and related services under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (the Act). Currently, these services are provided by NOAA employees on a fee-for-service basis which enables NOAA to fully recover the service costs. NOAA is considering that some of these services would no longer be provided directly by NOAA employees, but rather be offered by private parties. This document outlines the action NOAA contemplates to assure that the privatized program conducted under Federal oversight will be the full equivalent of the current program. NOAA is issuing this notice to inform the public of its ideas on restructuring the way it provides services under the Act; to describe the method by which it would assure continued availability of the benefits of these services through private inspectors certified by NOAA; and to invite submission of written recommendations and comments.