Japan | Japanese Inspectors Observe U.S. Beef Procedures | Two teams represe...
Japan
Japanese Inspectors Observe U.S. Beef Procedures
Two teams representing the government of Japan started observations this week of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) audits of U.S. beef packing plants and other facilities that want to qualify under the new export verification (EV) program for Japan.
Japanese officials are in the United States to observe and confirm audit procedures and to observe safety protocols and inspections conducted by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). The two teams will observe audits of 10 plants in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas during this trip, which ends next week.
During the review of the audit on Thursday (Dec. 15) at the Swift & Co. plant in Greeley, Colo., Japanese media were allowed to view and film portions of the process, and the reporters were provided a rare opportunity to tour the entire plant.
Only eligible suppliers approved by AMS and listed in the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for USDA EV Program for Japan are able to export product to Japan. Eligible products must be produced under an approved program and be identified as meeting the requirements of the EV program for Japan. Only eligible products may be issued a Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Export certificate which includes the applicable statement as listed in the FSIS Library of Export Requirements.
A shipment of U.S. beef from several eligible suppliers is being consolidated today (Dec. 16) in Denver, and will arrive at Tokyo’s Narita Airport Sunday (Dec. 18) in time to be served at a luncheon of kansha (thankfulness) hosted by USMEF President & CEO Phil Seng on Wednesday (Dec. 21) for those who were instrumental in reopening the Japanese market to U.S. beef.
USMEF will then host a media conference on Dec. 27 with a relaunch message to Japanese consumers to begin the New Year.
Japan
Japanese Inspectors Observe U.S. Beef Procedures
Two teams representing the government of Japan started observations this week of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) audits of U.S. beef packing plants and other facilities that want to qualify under the new export verification (EV) program for Japan.
Japanese officials are in the United States to observe and confirm audit procedures and to observe safety protocols and inspections conducted by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). The two teams will observe audits of 10 plants in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas during this trip, which ends next week.
During the review of the audit on Thursday (Dec. 15) at the Swift & Co. plant in Greeley, Colo., Japanese media were allowed to view and film portions of the process, and the reporters were provided a rare opportunity to tour the entire plant.
Only eligible suppliers approved by AMS and listed in the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for USDA EV Program for Japan are able to export product to Japan. Eligible products must be produced under an approved program and be identified as meeting the requirements of the EV program for Japan. Only eligible products may be issued a Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Export certificate which includes the applicable statement as listed in the FSIS Library of Export Requirements.
A shipment of U.S. beef from several eligible suppliers is being consolidated today (Dec. 16) in Denver, and will arrive at Tokyo’s Narita Airport Sunday (Dec. 18) in time to be served at a luncheon of kansha (thankfulness) hosted by USMEF President & CEO Phil Seng on Wednesday (Dec. 21) for those who were instrumental in reopening the Japanese market to U.S. beef.
USMEF will then host a media conference on Dec. 27 with a relaunch message to Japanese consumers to begin the New Year.