Mexico                                   

Mexico                                                                                         

SRM Certification Statement On Export Certificate Required Immediately

From today, Sept. 30, Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food Products (SAGARPA) is requiring a certification statement on the Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS) export certificate for beef products destined to Mexico that all specific risk material was removed. USMEF has received reports that some products are being detained at border crossings. USMEF has been in contact with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the FSIS, and discussions are taking place to remove this requirement but as of today the requirement stands. Sources tell USMEF that if the importer has acquired an import permit prior to Sept. 30, than a 60-day grace period can be granted, but this information cannot be confirmed.

While some shipments have successfully entered Mexico, USMEF strongly encourages exporters to contact their freight forwarders and importers to determine the status of shipments and potential shipments. USMEF and USDA are working diligently to resolve this issue and will provide further information as it becomes available.

Japan                                                                                            

Japan Imports 18 Percent More Pork In First Eight Months Of 2004

Japan imported 640,182 metric tons of pork products in the first eight months of 2004, 18 percent more than in the same period of 2003. Imports of U.S. pork in this period (183,639 metric tons) were statistically unchanged according to just-released Japanese government data.

The pork safeguard, which came into force on August 1, severely affected pork imports, which fell to 49,381 metric tons in August compared to 103,963 metric tons in July. Imports of U.S. pork fell from 25,318 metric tons in July to 15,731 metric tons in August. Imports of chilled U.S. pork, however, increased 12 percent in Jan-Aug. 2004 compared to Jan-Aug. 2003 to 91,779 metric tons. USMEF-Japan attributes this to a shortage of chilled beef due to the ban on U.S. beef imports.

Mexico                                                                                         

SRM Certification Statement On Export Certificate Required Immediately

From today, Sept. 30, Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food Products (SAGARPA) is requiring a certification statement on the Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS) export certificate for beef products destined to Mexico that all specific risk material was removed. USMEF has received reports that some products are being detained at border crossings. USMEF has been in contact with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the FSIS, and discussions are taking place to remove this requirement but as of today the requirement stands. Sources tell USMEF that if the importer has acquired an import permit prior to Sept. 30, than a 60-day grace period can be granted, but this information cannot be confirmed.

While some shipments have successfully entered Mexico, USMEF strongly encourages exporters to contact their freight forwarders and importers to determine the status of shipments and potential shipments. USMEF and USDA are working diligently to resolve this issue and will provide further information as it becomes available.

Japan                                                                                            

Japan Imports 18 Percent More Pork In First Eight Months Of 2004

Japan imported 640,182 metric tons of pork products in the first eight months of 2004, 18 percent more than in the same period of 2003. Imports of U.S. pork in this period (183,639 metric tons) were statistically unchanged according to just-released Japanese government data.

The pork safeguard, which came into force on August 1, severely affected pork imports, which fell to 49,381 metric tons in August compared to 103,963 metric tons in July. Imports of U.S. pork fell from 25,318 metric tons in July to 15,731 metric tons in August. Imports of chilled U.S. pork, however, increased 12 percent in Jan-Aug. 2004 compared to Jan-Aug. 2003 to 91,779 metric tons. USMEF-Japan attributes this to a shortage of chilled beef due to the ban on U.S. beef imports.