Thailand: Stricter Policy Towards Bone Fragments Reported

USMEF is monitoring reports that Thai officials may be changing their sanction policy towards bone fragments found in U.S. beef shipments. The U.S. is only allowed to export boneless beef from cattle of less then 30 months of age to Thailand. While the official policy of Thai officials has been to reject entire shipments of U.S. beef if bone fragments are found during inspection, officials have reportedly only rejected individual boxes or cartons of U.S. beef if bone fragments were found. USMEF has heard reports that Thai officials may be reverting back to their original policy and will reject entire shipments of U.S. beef if bone fragments are found during inspection. In the past, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has rejected returned shipments from Thailand because of animal health — especially foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) — concerns. Exporters are advised to contact USMEF Export Services staff (303-623-6328) if any shipments are rejected before trying to bring them back to the U.S.

USMEF is investigating this matter to try to get confirmation of this policy change and to identify the cause if there is a change in policy. USMEF is advising exporters to check with their importers and to use caution with shipments of beef to Thailand. USMEF will provide additional information as it becomes available.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

USMEF is monitoring reports that Thai officials may be changing their sanction policy towards bone fragments found in U.S. beef shipments. The U.S. is only allowed to export boneless beef from cattle of less then 30 months of age to Thailand. While the official policy of Thai officials has been to reject entire shipments of U.S. beef if bone fragments are found during inspection, officials have reportedly only rejected individual boxes or cartons of U.S. beef if bone fragments were found. USMEF has heard reports that Thai officials may be reverting back to their original policy and will reject entire shipments of U.S. beef if bone fragments are found during inspection. In the past, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has rejected returned shipments from Thailand because of animal health — especially foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) — concerns. Exporters are advised to contact USMEF Export Services staff (303-623-6328) if any shipments are rejected before trying to bring them back to the U.S.

USMEF is investigating this matter to try to get confirmation of this policy change and to identify the cause if there is a change in policy. USMEF is advising exporters to check with their importers and to use caution with shipments of beef to Thailand. USMEF will provide additional information as it becomes available.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.