Reading Room Document

Role and Composition of Certain Advisory Committees Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act

This document is a memorandum opinion for the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture regarding the role and composition of advisory committees under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act. The conclusions reached in the document are that the Secretary of Agriculture must appoint and consult with advisory committees prior to undertaking certain actions under the Acts, and that committee membership may be broadened in keeping with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to ensure balanced representation. The questions presented for review include whether the Secretary must appoint and consult with advisory committees, and whether committee membership must be limited to members of State agencies as expressly provided in the Acts.

June 20, 1978