e. Observing Packing of Product. A grader observes the packing and
marking of a product to be officially identified.
f. Issuing Required Documents. A grader issues grading certificates or other
documents required by the military, other government agencies, or institutional buyers.
1-13. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM
a. The Agricultural Marketing Service. The voluntary poultry grading program
is administered by the Poultry Division of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. The
Division's national office oversees regional and state offices that supervise graders
stationed across the country.
b. Duties of the Supervisory Staff. The primary duties of the supervisory staff
are to:
(1)
Maintain uniformity of application of the services in the field.
(2)
Assure compliance with the regulations governing these services.
(3)
See that all grade standards are properly interpreted and applied.
Cooperative agreements between USDA and various state agencies set forth
procedures for the collection and disbursement of fees. Under a State Trust Fund
agreement, arrangements for service are between the state and the individual firms,
with the concurrence of USDA. Fees are collected by the state. The USDA is reimbursed
by the state for Federal supervision of the program. Under a Federal Trust Fund
agreement, applications for service are between USDA and the individual firms. Fees
are collected by USDA. The state is paid by USDA for the costs it incurs performing
grading work and supervision.
Section III. OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION MARKS FOR
READY-TO-COOK POULTRY
1-15. GENERAL
The US Consumer grades apply only to poultry or poultry products taken from
an individual carcass or carcass part that has been graded by a grader or by authorized
personnel working under the supervision of a grader. The US procurement grades are
generally applied when the poultry has been graded on the basis of an examination of a
prescribed sample of the lot.
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