Costa Rica Lifts Ban On U.S. Beef
Central America
Costa Rica Lifts Ban On U.S. Beef
Costa Rica is the latest country to end its ban on imports of U.S. beef. The FSIS Export Library of Requirements was updated yesterday (Feb. 13) to reflect Costa Rica’s decision to allow imports of boneless U.S. beef, tongues, kidneys, livers and hearts. Plants wishing to export to Costa Rica should consult the export requirements thoroughly. Costa Rica will not mandate a beef export verification program if “the slaughter or processing plant is dedicated exclusively to production of beef products from animals less than 30 months of age, and does not use imported beef products.” Plants unable to meet this requirement will have to be enrolled in a BEV program.
Information regarding the AMS USDA Beef Export Verification program and a list of eligible establishments can be accessed at the following website: http://www.ams.usda.gov//lsg/arc//bev.htm.
Exporters interested in exporting to Costa Rica are strongly advised to confirm eligibility of the producing establishment with their importer in Costa Rica.
Taiwan
U.S. Beef Lands In Taipei
The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in Taiwan on Sunday (Feb. 12) after an eight-month absence. The 7 metric tons (mt) of beef passed inspection by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, the Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
To demonstrate his department’s vigilance, Health Minister Hou Sheng-Mou was at Chiang Kai Shek International Airport in person to oversee the customs inspection of the U.S. beef shipment.
In addition to increased inspection measures by the government, Taiwan’s retail stores are required to display U.S. beef on specially-marked shelves or label the product with its country of origin, and restaurants are required to indicate the country of origin on their menus.
Chilled U.S. beef is now on sale in most major retail supermarkets — Carrefour, Costco, and RT-Mart. Since air-freighted products generally cost 10 to 15 percent more, the items available are mainly steak cuts and boneless short ribs. Larger shipments of U.S. beef are expected to begin arriving by sea in about a month, allowing a greater variety at more affordable prices.
Taiwanese customs officials reminded USMEF that only original copies of export forms will be accepted when clearing customs. Exporters must fill out FSIS Forms 9060-5, 9285-1 and 2630-9 correctly. Errors such as incorrect establishment numbers or names and addresses may result in entry being delayed or denied. For the next few months endorsed documents by the American Institute in Taiwan will not be accepted by customs. Exporters are recommended to fill in the street addresses of establishments rather than P.O. boxes and have all documentation checked and double-checked.
USMEF-Taiwan also reports that Taiwan’s Department of Health considers beef cheek meat, diaphragm and hanging tender as variety meat and ineligible.
Central America
Costa Rica Lifts Ban On U.S. Beef
Costa Rica is the latest country to end its ban on imports of U.S. beef. The FSIS Export Library of Requirements was updated yesterday (Feb. 13) to reflect Costa Rica’s decision to allow imports of boneless U.S. beef, tongues, kidneys, livers and hearts. Plants wishing to export to Costa Rica should consult the export requirements thoroughly. Costa Rica will not mandate a beef export verification program if “the slaughter or processing plant is dedicated exclusively to production of beef products from animals less than 30 months of age, and does not use imported beef products.” Plants unable to meet this requirement will have to be enrolled in a BEV program.
Information regarding the AMS USDA Beef Export Verification program and a list of eligible establishments can be accessed at the following website: http://www.ams.usda.gov//lsg/arc//bev.htm.
Exporters interested in exporting to Costa Rica are strongly advised to confirm eligibility of the producing establishment with their importer in Costa Rica.
Taiwan
U.S. Beef Lands In Taipei
The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in Taiwan on Sunday (Feb. 12) after an eight-month absence. The 7 metric tons (mt) of beef passed inspection by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, the Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
To demonstrate his department’s vigilance, Health Minister Hou Sheng-Mou was at Chiang Kai Shek International Airport in person to oversee the customs inspection of the U.S. beef shipment.
In addition to increased inspection measures by the government, Taiwan’s retail stores are required to display U.S. beef on specially-marked shelves or label the product with its country of origin, and restaurants are required to indicate the country of origin on their menus.
Chilled U.S. beef is now on sale in most major retail supermarkets — Carrefour, Costco, and RT-Mart. Since air-freighted products generally cost 10 to 15 percent more, the items available are mainly steak cuts and boneless short ribs. Larger shipments of U.S. beef are expected to begin arriving by sea in about a month, allowing a greater variety at more affordable prices.
Taiwanese customs officials reminded USMEF that only original copies of export forms will be accepted when clearing customs. Exporters must fill out FSIS Forms 9060-5, 9285-1 and 2630-9 correctly. Errors such as incorrect establishment numbers or names and addresses may result in entry being delayed or denied. For the next few months endorsed documents by the American Institute in Taiwan will not be accepted by customs. Exporters are recommended to fill in the street addresses of establishments rather than P.O. boxes and have all documentation checked and double-checked.
USMEF-Taiwan also reports that Taiwan’s Department of Health considers beef cheek meat, diaphragm and hanging tender as variety meat and ineligible.