United States | Quick And Firm Response To Violation Of Japan Export Require...
United States
Quick And Firm Response To Violation Of Japan Export Requirements
In a statement regarding the violation of Japan export provisions, USMEF President & CEO Phil Seng said, “The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) takes this matter very seriously and encourages a quick and firm response from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).”
U.S. beef exports to Japan were halted immediately today when inspectors at Narita International Airport in Tokyo found a shipment containing vertebral column. While backbone, or vertebral column with spinal cord removed, is not a food safety risk, it is not allowed for export under the United States’ agreement with Japan.
“USDA is conducting a thorough investigation, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has ordered enhanced inspection requirements and training at every plant in the United States approved for beef export, and has dispatched a team of USDA inspectors to Japan to ensure shipments awaiting approval are in compliance with the export agreement,” Seng said.
In a press conference this morning, Johanns detailed the following 12 points in immediate response to this matter:
1. USDA will submit a written report of the investigation to government of Japan “immediately.”
2. The plant has been de-listed. This was the plant’s first shipment to Japan.
3. A second Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspector signature will be immediately required on all export verification (EV) export certificates.
4. There will be unannounced USDA inspections of plants approved to export.
5. FSIS will hold conference call today (Jan. 20) with district managers to reaffirm export requirements.
6. District offices and the office of international affairs will hold a conference call Monday (Jan. 23) to reaffirm requirements.
7. Inspectors at EV-approved plants will be required to review procedures to ensure compliance.
8. No additional plants will be listed under EV programs until proper procedures are in place.
9. Johanns dispatched a team to Japan to work with Japanese government and ensure U.S. beef shipments there are in compliance with the agreement.
10. FSIS will conduct an investigation of plant in question.
11. Further training of FSIS inspectors on EV requirements and a required signed validation that training was received and successfully completed.
12. USDA will meet with all plants certified for export to ensure they understand requirements.
Johanns also said he will be in contact with other countries to which the United States exports beef to fully inform them of the measures the United States has put in place and to explain the situation that occurred.
The Japanese have “freeze-framed” U.S. beef product that is in Japan until they are satisfied that the United States has met their concerns and requirements, Johanns said. He said the United States is going to act very aggressively to make sure whatever questions and concerns Japan has are addressed, assured and answered.
The USMEF Statement and USDA Statementcan be read online.
United States
Quick And Firm Response To Violation Of Japan Export Requirements
In a statement regarding the violation of Japan export provisions, USMEF President & CEO Phil Seng said, “The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) takes this matter very seriously and encourages a quick and firm response from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).”
U.S. beef exports to Japan were halted immediately today when inspectors at Narita International Airport in Tokyo found a shipment containing vertebral column. While backbone, or vertebral column with spinal cord removed, is not a food safety risk, it is not allowed for export under the United States’ agreement with Japan.
“USDA is conducting a thorough investigation, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has ordered enhanced inspection requirements and training at every plant in the United States approved for beef export, and has dispatched a team of USDA inspectors to Japan to ensure shipments awaiting approval are in compliance with the export agreement,” Seng said.
In a press conference this morning, Johanns detailed the following 12 points in immediate response to this matter:
1. USDA will submit a written report of the investigation to government of Japan “immediately.”
2. The plant has been de-listed. This was the plant’s first shipment to Japan.
3. A second Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspector signature will be immediately required on all export verification (EV) export certificates.
4. There will be unannounced USDA inspections of plants approved to export.
5. FSIS will hold conference call today (Jan. 20) with district managers to reaffirm export requirements.
6. District offices and the office of international affairs will hold a conference call Monday (Jan. 23) to reaffirm requirements.
7. Inspectors at EV-approved plants will be required to review procedures to ensure compliance.
8. No additional plants will be listed under EV programs until proper procedures are in place.
9. Johanns dispatched a team to Japan to work with Japanese government and ensure U.S. beef shipments there are in compliance with the agreement.
10. FSIS will conduct an investigation of plant in question.
11. Further training of FSIS inspectors on EV requirements and a required signed validation that training was received and successfully completed.
12. USDA will meet with all plants certified for export to ensure they understand requirements.
Johanns also said he will be in contact with other countries to which the United States exports beef to fully inform them of the measures the United States has put in place and to explain the situation that occurred.
The Japanese have “freeze-framed” U.S. beef product that is in Japan until they are satisfied that the United States has met their concerns and requirements, Johanns said. He said the United States is going to act very aggressively to make sure whatever questions and concerns Japan has are addressed, assured and answered.
The USMEF Statement and USDA Statementcan be read online.