Exhibit B

From: Bronstein, Philip - FSIS

To: Ashley Peterson; Kiecker, Paul - FSIS; Sidrak, Hany - FSIS
Subject: RE: A few questions
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 7:52:00 AM

Hi Ashely,
 
I think that the ideas that you put forward seem workable. I would suggest that your members work
with the local inspection teams and the District Offices to come up with a solution that will work for
everyone.
 
Phil
 
--------------------------------------------------
Philip Bronstein, Ph.D.                                       
Assistant Administrator
Office of Field Operations
Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA
Room 344E Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250
Office: (b) (6)
Mobile: (b) (6)
Email: philip.bronstein@usda.gov
 
 
From: Ashley Peterson (b) (6) @chickenusa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 7:48 AM
To: Kiecker, Paul - FSIS <paul.kiecker@usda.gov>; Bronstein, Philip - FSIS
<philip.bronstein@usda.gov>; Sidrak, Hany - FSIS <hany.sidrak@usda.gov>
Subject: RE: A few questions
 
Good morning to you all –
I wanted to follow-up on the questions below.  Are you planning to address these during the call this
afternoon or would it be easier to find a time for us to discuss separately?
Thank you,
Ashley
 
From: Ashley Peterson
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2020 7:17 AM
To: Kiecker, Paul - FSIS <paul.kiecker@usda.gov>; Bronstein, Philip - FSIS
<philip.bronstein@usda.gov>; Sidrak, Hany - FSIS <hany.sidrak@usda.gov>
Subject: A few questions
 
Good morning Paul, Phil, and Hany –
 

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Happy Saturday morning to you both.  I had a few questions I was hoping you could help me with.
 
One, on last week’s call, you mentioned that plants are required to meet the regulation for work
space for inspectors (381.36, pasted below).  This workspace requirement will not permit social
distancing requirements of six feet.  If a plant chooses to put barriers in to meet CDC guidelines, the
regulations will not be met.  Would it be possible to get enforcement discretion on this topic in order
to protect both the inspector and their helper?  I am hearing that we have some inspectors that are
concerned that their full workspace is not being provided but we have not heard any concerns about
them being able to perform inspection. 
 
Floor space shall consist of 4 feet along the conveyor line for the inspector, and 4 feet for
the establishment helper. A total of at least 8 feet along the conveyor line shall be supplied
for one inspection station and 16 feet for two-inspection stations.
(iii) Selectors or “kickouts” shall be installed in establishments with two inspection stations
on a line so each inspector will receive birds on 12-inch centers with no intervening birds to
impede inspection. The selector must move the bird to the edge of the trough for the
inspector and establishment helper. The selectors must be smooth, steady, and consistent in
moving the birds parallel and through the inspection station. Birds shall be selected and
released smoothly to avoid swinging when entering the inspection station.
(iv) Each inspector's station shall have a platform that is slip-resistant and can be safely
accessed by the inspector. The platform shall be designed so that it can be easily and rapidly
adjusted for a minimum of 14 inches vertically while standing on the platform. The platform
shall be a minimum length of 4 feet and have a minimum width of 2 feet; the platform shall
be designed with a 42-inch high rail on the back side and with 1⁄2 -inch foot bumpers on
both sides and front to allow safe working conditions. The platform must have a safe lift
mechanism and be large enough for the inspector to sit on a stool and to change stations
during breaks or station rotation.
 
My second question is on face coverings.  The Agency has stated many time that FSIS employees
should wear company-issued face coverings if the company is requiring them to be worn by
company employees.  Would it be possible to update FSIS Notice 19-20 to reflect the Agency’s
position or perhaps had it to the Q/A the Agency is maintaining?  This seems to be an issue across all
Districts. 
 
Finally, would the Agency be able to develop and release a video on proper donning and doffing of
face coverings?  While I realize that we are working on this matter with our own employees, a
significant number of FSIS employees are not wearing face coverings correctly and this has the
potential to put others in the plant at risk including their own colleagues.  Any form of training would
be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you in advance,
Ashley
 
Ashley B. Peterson, Ph.D. | Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
National Chicken Council
1152 Fifteenth Street, NW Suite 430 | Washington, DC 20005 

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C: (b) (6)
D: (b) (6)
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