Path C The FDA's Cooperative Agreement Program for States and Territories to Implement a National Produce Safety Program.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (ADA) Produce Safety Program will continue the implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule as a PATH C applicant. The Program will maintain and build upon all required objectives cited in the FDA's Cooperative Agreement Program for States and Territories to Implement a National Produce Safety Program. Sprout inspections will not be conducted by the ADA Produce Safety Program. As a PATH C applicant, the ADA has evaluated existing statutory and regulatory authority related to produce safety and determined that the Department has the authority to implement the Produce Safety Rule by the powers and duties granted to the State Plant Board in A.C.A. 2-16-206-207: THE PLANT ACT - Title 2 Agriculture - Subtitle 2. Agronomy - Chapter 16 Plant Disease and Pest Control - Subchapter 2 -- Plant Act of 1917. Additionally, the ADA adopted the Arkansas Produce Safety Rule; the Rule incorporates the most current revision of 21 CFR 112 by reference. Copies of these can be found within the Program’s Project Plan; the Rule can also be found at the following web address: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wp- content/uploads/2020/09/Arkansas-Produce-Safety-Rule.pdf