FSIS Export Library Updates

February 2012

• Oklahoma Beef Ineligible for Kuwait – The situation has resurfaced in which Kuwait has declared beef from the state of Oklahoma ineligible. USMEF will provide updates on this issue as more information becomes available.
• Pork to Saudi Arabia for Diplomatic, Military Use Only – An update is posted for Saudi Arabia stating that U.S. pork is eligible only for “U.S. diplomatic or military use.” While only very small amounts of U.S. pork have been shipped to Saudi Arabia, this is a more restrictive policy than in the past.
• Pork to New Zealand Must Be of U.S. or Canadian Origin – An update is posted for New Zealand requiring all pork and pork products to be “derived from animals born, continuously raised and slaughtered in Canada and/or the United States of America.”
• Poultry, Eggs to Japan – State-specific updates are posted for poultry and eggs destined for Japan.
• Russia Plant List Update – An update is posted to the eligible beef plant list for Russia.
• UAE Removes Import Restrictions on U.S. Beef – The EV program has been removed on U.S. beef destined for the United Arab Emirates.
• Plant Approval Form Requirement Clarified for Egypt – A library update explains that a plant approval form (FSIS Form 9080-3) is not required for Egypt because all establishments seeking to export to Egypt must be approved for halal slaughter.
• Poultry Changes, Updated Contact Information for Russia – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility and updated contact information are posted for Russia.
• Poultry Plant List Update for Russia – An update was posted to the eligible poultry plant list for Russia.
• Australia Plant List Update – An update was posted to the eligible plant list for Australia.
• Plant List for Mexico – The eligible plant list has been updated for Mexico.
• Beef Plant List Update for Russia – An update to the eligible beef plant list has been posted for Russia.
• Vietnam Export Requirements Update – There has been a change in the Vietnam exporter requirements concerning poultry plant delistments.
• Further Update of FSIS Letterhead Certificates for Mexico – The Export Requirements for Mexico have been revised to reflect new FSIS letterhead certificates for export of beef trimmings and processed products, and for the re-export of various meat and poultry products of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand origin to Mexico.

January 2012

• Gulfood Samples for the UAE – The Export Library for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been updated so that samples for the upcoming Gulfood 2012 trade show are exempt from the UAE’s normal labeling requirements. However, samples must be clearly marked, “SAMPLES FOR THE GULFOOD SHOW, not for commercial sale.”
• Beef Products for Chile – Requirements have been clarified for U.S. beef products destined for Chile. Because Chile’s regulations can sometimes cause confusion, USMEF is planning to add a Chilean section to the USMEF Bilingual Labeling Manual posted at www.usmef.org. Watch for this addition soon.
• Russia Poultry Plant List – The eligible poultry plant list is updated for Russia.
• Marking Requirements for Canada – Documentation requirements are updated for unmarked and unstamped products destined for Canada.
• Australia Plant List – The eligible pork plant list is updated for Australia.
• Canadian Pork Re-exported to Japan – Documentation changes are posted for pork of Canadian origin that is imported into the United States and then shipped to Japan.
• Eggs to Japan – State-specific changes in egg eligibility are posted for Japan.
• New York-based Poultry Exports Suspended for Taiwan – Due to a confirmed case of avian influenza (LPNAI H5) in Kings County, N.Y., APHIS is required – per a bilateral agreement – to restrict poultry exports from the state of New York to Taiwan. Therefore, all poultry meat and poultry products loaded on-board vessel on or after January 24, 2012 are ineligible for export to Taiwan. Any poultry meat or poultry products loaded on-board vessel on or before January 23, 2012, are still eligible for Taiwan. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Smith at ksmith@usmef.org or 303-623-6328.
• Kings County, NY, Poultry Exports Ineligible for Cuba – For the same reasons listed above, poultry exports from Kings County, N.Y., are ineligible for Cuba, effective Jan. 24. Please note, however, that Cuba’s restrictions apply only to Kings County and not the entire state of New York.
• Residue Testing Changes for the EU – Changes in the required sample size have been made to the residue testing requirements for the European Union. Specifically, the following requirement in Section IX, Subsection F is revised to read: “Please collect 200 ml of urine and 200 gm of muscle, kidney or fat.”
  
  Additional changes in EU residue testing requirements, including an update to the sampling frequency table, are anticipated soon but are not yet posted. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Clayton at pclayton@usmef.org or 303-623-6328.
• Pork Casings for Mexico – Documentation requirements are updated for pork casings destined for Mexico
• Australia Plant List Update – An update is posted to the eligible plant list for Australia.
• Cold Storage List for Japan – The eligible cold storage facility list has been updated for Japan.
• Plant List for Mexico – The eligible plant list has been updated for Mexico.
• Mexico Plant List – Updates are posted to the eligible plant list for Mexico.
• Poultry to Kuwait – Poultry eligibility changes are posted for Kuwait.
• Contact Info for Egg Exports to Canada – Changes are posted to the CFIA contact information for companies exporting eggs to Canada.
• Pork and Sheep Casings for New Zealand – Documentation requirements have been revised for pork and sheep casings destined for New Zealand.
• Poultry Eligibility Update for China – State-specific poultry eligibility updates are posted for China.
• Beef Labeling and Documentation for Chile – Labeling and Documentation requirements are updated for beef destined for Chile.
• Pork Plant List Update for Russia – An update to the eligible pork plant list is posted for Russia.
• Eggs to Canada – Certification requirements are updated for eggs destined for Canada.

December 2011

• Poultry Plant List Update for Russia – An update to the eligible poultry plant list is posted for Russia.
• Change in Document Requirements for China – Exporters shipping to China should note that email pre-notification is no longer required and they should not submit export certificates to the FSIS mailbox. China’s Administration for Quality Standards, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) will only review product and hard copies of export certificates upon arrival at the port.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update has been posted to the eligible plant list for Mexico.
• New Certificate for Canada – Members exporting red meat and poultry to Canada should refer to the FSIS Export Library for a note posted on Dec. 22: “Note: FSIS Form 9135-3, Certificate for Export of Meat and Poultry Products to Canada, is reprinted annually with a version corresponding to the current year (e.g., US-CA-2011). The new version becomes available in December of each year. The previous year version may be used until February 28 of the following year.”
• Export Library Update for EU – The FSIS has posted a change to the EU guidelines for meat preparation transit and storage. Revised certification is required for meat preparations shipments transiting or being stored in the EU. The Veterinary Certificate for Meat Preparations for Transit/Storage is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Dutch.* See Guidelines to complete.
• Middle East Export Library Changes – Members should refer to the FSIS Export Library for changes on halal certification and Islamic slaughter for the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait (Kuwait also has a change in its poultry regulations).
• Japan Plant List Change, Poultry Update – The online FSIS Export Library requirements for Japan have been changed to reflect a plant delisting and an update on the poultry regulations.
• Mexico’s Letterhead Certificate Update Posted for More Products – New letterhead certificates must now be used for Mexico for dry-cured country ham/pork shoulder and edible beef blood and plasma. These items join the list of products already posted (pork organs, offals, meat, carcasses, skin, bacon, fat, and lard; goat organs and offals; sheep organs and offals; and beef tallow) for which the new letterhead certificates are now mandatory. After Dec. 15, Mexico will only accept the new HRZs and FSIS letterhead certificates for all products. For more information, contact Courtney Heller at cheller@usmef.org.
• Eligible Plant List Updates – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Australia, as well as an update to the eligible cold storage facility list for Japan.
• Mexico’s Letterhead Certificate Update Now Posted – Yesterday afternoon (Dec. 7, 2011), USMEF issued an Exporter Alert bulletin explaining the updated policy on HRZs and letterhead certificates. This bulletin is repeated below, for any subscribers who may have missed it. This morning, the Export Library for Mexico has been updated to reflect this clarification on Mexico’s policy.
  
  USMEF has just been informed by USDA/FAS-Mexico that the government of Mexico will continue to accept either the old or new HRZs and FSIS letterhead certificates until Dec. 15 for beef, sheep meat, goat meat and processed products. The new letterhead certificates must be used (effective Dec. 1) for pork (organs, offals, meat, carcasses, skin, bacon, fat, and lard), goat organs and offals, sheep organs and offals, and beef tallow. After Dec. 15, Mexico will only accept the new HRZs and FSIS letterhead certificates for all products. For more information, contact Courtney Heller at cheller@usmef.org.


• Letterhead Certificates for EU – Documentation guidelines have been updated for meat transiting the European Union on its way to a non-EU country, or a U.S. military installation or shipstore.
• Documentation Change for EU – A change in documentation requirements is posted for raw material for pharmaceutical processing destined for the European Union.

November 2011

• Export Certificate Change for Pork, Beef Tallow, Poultry Destined for Mexico – The Export Library entry for Mexico now states that the remarks section of the 9060-5 can no longer include letterhead certificate statements for pork and pork products. Instead, the letterhead certificate must be printed out and must accompany the other shipping documents. This is the latest of several Export Library changes USMEF is expecting for Mexico that will change how the main certificate should be completed. Additional points of interest include:
  
  Effective Dec. 1, 2011, Mexico will require that, in addition to FSIS Form 9060-5, new bilingual FSIS Letterhead Certificates must accompany shipments of meat and poultry products exported to Mexico. The new FSIS Letterhead Certificates for poultry, pork, and beef tallow are listed in this update to the Export Library and should be used immediately. Information about beef, sheep, goat, and processed products will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
  
  Between now and Nov. 30, 2011, Mexico will accept the previous versions of the FSIS Letterhead Certificates. Shipments arriving on or after Dec. 1, 2011 must be certified with the new documentation requirements.
  
  Also please note the following letterhead certificate changes for brined meat:
  
  For brined meat the importer must provide information from the plant where the product was produced indicating the type and quantity of ingredients used in the brine (i.e. 10% NaCl).
  
  For brined meat packages must list the processing plant, and the processing and expiration dates.
• Poultry Eligibility for Hong Kong – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Hong Kong.
• Poultry, Egg Eligibility for Japan – State-specific changes in poultry and egg eligibility are posted for Japan.
• Poultry Update for Japan — The FSIS has posted state-specific changes for poultry and egg exports to Japan.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• Beef Plant List Update for Russia – An update is posted to the eligible beef plant list for Russia.
• Pork to Australia – Documentation requirements are updated for cooked pork products destined for Australia.
• Pork Cleared for Export to U.S. Military in Bahrain, Qatar – Updates are posted allowing U.S. pork to be exported to U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Qatar. The Remarks section must include, “Product destined for U.S. military use.”
• Update to the Pork and Beef EV Programs for Russia – An update is posted to the Export Verification (EV) programs for pork and beef exports to Russia.
• Casings for Chile – A change in documentation requirements is posted for casings destined for Chile.
• Eggs Transiting the EU – Two separate updates are posted indicating that the APHIS monthly certificate is no longer required for egg products transiting the European Union: Update #2, Update #1.
• Australia Plant List – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Australia.
• Eligible Plant List Update for Mexico – On Friday, Nov. 4, an update to the eligible plant list was posted for Mexico.

October 2011

• Poultry Eligibility Changes for China – An Export Library update for China denotes state-specific changes in poultry eligibility.
• Certificates Extended for Kazakhstan – On Oct. 14, Exporter Alert reported the following news regarding a one-year extension for CIS Customs Union certificates. An Export Library update for has now been posted which reflects this change for Customs Union member Kazakhstan.
• Salted Hog Casings for Brazil – A note in the Export Library indicates that salted hog casings of U.S. origin that were sent to China for selection can be certified for export to Brazil.
• Poultry Plant List Update for Russia – An update is posted to the eligible poultry plant list for Russia.
• Egg Products to the European Union – An update is posted to the certification requirements for egg products destined for the European Union.
• Plant List Updates for Mexico, Australia – Updates to the eligible plant lists are posted for Mexico and Australia.
• Cold Storage List Update for Japan – An update is posted to the eligible cold storage facility list for Japan.
• Poultry Products to the European Union – An update is posted to the certification requirements for poultry products destined for the European Union.
• Plant List Update for South Africa – An updated list of eligible plants has been posted for South Africa.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• Poultry Documentation for Russia – A change in poultry documentation requirements is posted for Russia.
• Poultry Updates for Russia – State-specific poultry eligibility updates are posted for Russia.
• Poultry Updates for Taiwan – State-specific poultry eligibility updates are posted for Taiwan.

September 2011

• Cured Pork Documentation for New Zealand – An update is posted to the documentation requirements for pork exported to New Zealand for curing.
• Sheep and Goat Meat to the Cayman Islands – An update is posted to the documentation requirements for sheep and goat meat exported to the Cayman Islands that is derived from animals less than 12 months of age.
• Prepared Products List for Russia – An update is posted for the eligible prepared products list for Russia.
• Poultry changes for Guatemala – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Guatemala.
• Eggs to Japan – Documentation changes are posted for eggs exported to Japan that transit through a third country.
• Updated Document Requirements for Ecuador – An update is posted to the documentation requirements for Ecuador.
• Plant List Update for South Africa – An update is posted to the eligible plant list for South Africa.
• Pork, Poultry Plant List Updates for Russia – Updates are posted for Russia’s eligible pork plant list and poultry plant list.
• Pork Plant List Update for Russia – An update is posted to the eligible pork plant list for Russia. Letterhead Certificate Updates for Poultry and Eggs to Japan – Letterhead certificate updates are posted for poultry and eggs destined for Japan.
• Poultry Eligibility Updates for Cuba – Updated poultry eligibility requirements are posted for Cuba.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update is posted to the eligible plant list for Mexico.
• Plant List Updates for Russia – Further updates are posted to the eligible beef plant list and eligible poultry plant list for Russia.
• Poultry Changes for the Philippines – State-specific poultry eligibility changes are posted for the Philippines.
• Plant List Updates for Russia – Updates are posted to the eligible beef plant list and eligible poultry plant list for Russia.
• Poultry Changes for Singapore – State-specific poultry eligibility changes are posted for Singapore.
• Meat Destined for Ship Stores in Australia – Documentation requirements have been updated for meat destined for ship stores in Australia.
• FSIS Gauging Interest in EU Lamb and Mutton Market – Export Library language for lamb and mutton exports has been updated for the European Union. These products remain ineligible for export to the EU, but FSIS would like to hear from suppliers who have an interest in serving this market.
• Eligible Products Update for Armenia – Beef, pork and poultry have been officially added to the eligible products list for Armenia. This is more of a technical update than an actual policy change, as the United States has been exporting small volumes of meat and poultry products to Armenia.

August 2011

• Arizona Beef, Mutton Now Eligible for Saudi Arabia – The vesicular stomatitis restriction on beef and mutton from Arizona has been removed by Saudi Arabia.
• Plant List Updates for Mexico, South Africa – The eligible plant lists have been updated for Mexico and South Africa.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes for Guatemala, Cuba – State-specific poultry eligibility updates are posted for Guatemala and Cuba.
• Poultry Update for Japan – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Japan.
• Eggs Update for Japan – State-specific changes in eggs eligibility are posted for Japan.
• Plant Eligibility Change for Switzerland – A change in the eligibility status of a U.S. beef plant has been posted for Switzerland, mirroring a change posted last week for the European Union.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• New Documentation Requirements for Mexico – As noted in the article above, new documentation requirements are posted for Mexico. Compliance is optional for certificates signed through Sept. 30, but the changes become mandatory Oct. 1.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• Poultry Update for Taiwan – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Taiwan.
• Australia Plant List – An update is posted to the eligible plant list for Australia.
• Japan Cold Storage List – An update is posted to the eligible cold storage facility list for Japan.
• EU Certificate of Authenticity – A change is posted regarding the certificate of authenticity for beef, veal and bison meat destined for the European Union.
• Bison Meat for Switzerland – An update is posted regarding bison meat destined for Switzerland, which mirrors the change that was posted earlier this week for the European Union.
• Pork to Indonesia – A clarification is posted regarding pork exports to Indonesia. With the obvious exception of halal certification, all other labeling and documentation requirements apply. Exporters are also strongly advised to confirm the eligibility of their production plants with their importers, as this has sometimes been a problem area with regard to Indonesia.
• Pork Plant List Update for Russia – An update is posted to the eligible pork plant list for Russia.
• Documentation Change for Bison Meat Destined for EU – A change in documentation requirements is posted for bison meat exported to the European Union.
• Poultry Changes for St. Lucia – Poultry documentation changes are posted for St. Lucia.
• Documentation Change for Thailand – A change in documentation requirements is posted for Thailand.

July 2011

• Plant List Update for EU – A change is posted to the list of plants eligible to export to the European Union.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – Changes to the eligible plant list are posted for Mexico.
• EU Swine Heart Requirements – A change is posted in the documentation requirements (weekly pork heart data sheet) for establishments exporting pork to the European Union.
• ANUGA 2011 Food Show Samples (Germany) – Changes are posted in the certification requirements for meat and poultry destined for use at the ANUGA 2011 Food Show, which is scheduled for Oct. 8-12 in Cologne.
• Plant List Update for Australia – Changes to the eligible plant list are posted for Australia.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes for Cuba -State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Cuba.
• Salted Pork Casings Now Eligible for Peru – Salted pork casings have been added to the eligible products list for Peru.
• Plant List Updates for Russia – Updates to the eligible pork plant list and the eligible poultry plant list are posted for Russia.
• China Labeling Requirements – As noted above, new language is posted reflecting China’s new labeling requirements.
• Poultry Eligible for Kuwait – A change in eligibility status for U.S. poultry is posted for Kuwait.
• Eggs to Australia – A change in documentation requirements is posted for U.S. eggs shipped to Australia.
• Military Poultry Purchase Requirements for Japan – A clarification is posted for Japan indicating that U.S. poultry shipments to military customers must comply with all state-specific avian influenza restrictions.
• Pork and Poultry Plant List Updates for Russia – Updates to the eligible pork plant list and the eligible poultry plant list are posted for Russia.
• Poultry Plant List Update for Russia – An update to the eligible poultry plant list is posted for Russia.
• Poultry Changes for Hong Kong – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Hong Kong.
• USDA Seal Requirement Change for Japan – For any U.S. meat products that transit a third country, the following change in USDA seal requirements is posted for Japan:
  Any container of meat product exported to Japan, regardless of the product’s source, that transits through a third country, must be sealed with an official USDA seal at a USDA inspected facility. The following statement must be typed on an FSIS Letterhead Certificate:
  “The container was sealed by FSIS with USDA seal number_______________.”
• Poultry Changes for Singapore – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Singapore.
• Meat-Based Flavors to Australia – A change in certification requirements for heat processed meat-based flavors is posted for Australia.
• Poultry Changes for Taiwan – State-specific changes in poultry eligibility are posted for Taiwan.

June 2011

• Plant List Update for Russia – An update to the eligible pork plant list is posted for Russia.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes – State-specific poultry eligibility changes are posted for Taiwan, Cuba, and Guatemala.
• Poultry Flock Health Certification for Russia – A change in poultry flock health certification requirements is posted for Russia.
• EU Poultry Documentation – A change in documentation requirements is posted for fresh poultry meat destined for the European Union.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes for Sri Lanka – The ban on poultry to Sri Lanka is lifted for products from birds slaughtered on or after June 21.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes for Taiwan – State-specific poultry eligibility changes are posted for Taiwan.
• FSIS Revises Library Entry for Pork Exports to Brazil – FSIS has revised the Library entry to make it clear that U.S. pork products are not eligible for export to Brazil. See the FSIS online Export Requirements for Brazil for details.
• Japan FSIS Seals – The FSIS Export Library requirements for Japan have been updated to reflect the ending of a temporary, post-earthquake measure on FSIS seals.
• Kuwait Poultry Update – The library reflects a change in Kuwait’s import laws allowing import of heat-treated poultry.
• Mexico Plant List – The FSIS Export Library has updated the eligible plants list for Mexico.
• EU Export Requirements – The library reflects a change in the EU’s export requirements. Essentially, the change is an added sentence in the Documentation section under the (D) Beef and Bison section (3a).
• Australia Updates Posted for Meat-Based Flavors, Eggs – A certification change is posted for heat-processed, meat-based flavors destined for Australia. An eligibility change is also posted for eggs shipped to Australia.
• Status Update on Iraq – An update is posted regarding the administration of sanctions against certain individuals and entities in Iraq.
• Australia Plant List Update – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Australia.
• Poultry Changes for Colombia – State-specific poultry eligibility updates are posted for Colombia.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• Poultry Eligibility Changes for Russia – State-specific poultry eligibility changes are posted for Russia.
• Documentation Changes for El Salvador, DR – Documentation changes are posted for El Salvador and the Dominican Republic stating that obtaining a visa for the 9060-5 from the local consul is no longer required.
• Plant List Updates for Egypt, Australia - Eligible plant list updates are posted for Egypt and Australia.
• Plant List Update for Mexico – An update to the eligible plant list is posted for Mexico.
• Poultry Changes for Cuba – A state-specific eligibility change is posted for U.S. poultry destined for Cuba.