Which FSIS official is responsible for developing a Verification Plan when enforcement is deferred after a NOIE or a suspension in abeyance?

• A. District Manager (DM)
• B. Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations (EARO)
• C. FSIS Administrator
• D. Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EAIO)

Answer: (D)

When enforcement is deferred after a NOIE (Notice of Intended Enforcement) or a suspension in abeyance, the Responsibility for developing a Verification Plan lies with the Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer. This role focuses on enforcement actions and the evidence needed to support them, so they prepare the plan that lays out what will be verified, who will verify it, how verification will be conducted, the data required, timelines, and acceptance criteria to ensure corrective actions are implemented and remain effective while enforcement is paused. The District Manager oversees day-to-day field activities but isn’t the one assigned to create the Verification Plan in this context. The Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations handles broad regulatory operations rather than the hands-on verification developed for deferred enforcement. The FSIS Administrator is the top authority and delegates these specifics to the relevant enforcement and investigations office, namely the EAIO.