International Animal Product Export Regulations |
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Notice
*Attention Exporters*
From August 10 through October 11, 2009 export certificates (VS Form 16-4) will be transitioning responsibility for certain animal feeds and pet foods containing animal products from Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to Veterinary Services (VS). Please view the Exporter Contact Information Letter dated August 6, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) has created the International Animal Product Export Regulations (IREGS) to provide exporters with our best understanding of importing countries requirements for certain animal-origin products.
Countries may change their import requirements without notice. In all cases, the exporter has the responsibility of having their importer confirm with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country the import requirements prior to shipping. The exporter should obtain any required zoosanitary (animal health) product certificates prior to shipping any product. Most countries will not recognize zoosanitary certificates issued after products have shipped.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements to obtain a zoosanitary certificate for an animal product being exported, you should contact the VS Area Office covering the area from where the product will be exported (or the area in which your office is located).
The primary role of APHIS, VS in the certification of animal products for export is to provide certification about the animal health status of the region of origin of the product. If other certifications are required, APHIS, VS may not be the Agency authorized to provide the required export certificate.
Federal agencies other than APHIS are also involved in providing certificates for the export of animal products.
A. Dairy Products
The USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the agencies primarily responsible for the certification of dairy products exported for human consumption. (APHIS, VS may provide certification in certain circumstances.)
AMS can be contacted at:
Dairy Standardization
Agricultural Marketing Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 96456
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-720-3171
Fax: 202-720-2643
B. Meat and meat products; processed egg products
The USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for export certification of meat and some meat products, as well as processed egg products (such as pasteurized eggs), for human consumption.
For FSIS import and export information, contact the FSIS Technical Service Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at 402-344-5000 or by fax at 402-344-5008.
C. Aquaculture and fish products
The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the primary agency responsible for providing certification for fish meal, fish oil, and certain other seafood products. The FDA also certifies seafood products, such as blocks of frozen fish.
These agencies can be contacted as follows:
Fish Meal Program Manager
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
P.O. Drawer 1207
Pascagoaula, MS 39567
Phone: 228-762-7402 ext. 312
Fax: 228-762-9200
Office of Seafood
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, Room 3C097
College Park, MD 20740-3835
Phone: 301-436-2300
D. Table eggs
The USDA, AMS is the Agency that endorses export certificates for table eggs (for human consumption).
USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service
Poultry Division-Grading Branch
P.O. Box 96456
South Agricultural Building
Washington, DC 20090-6456
Phone: 202-720-4411
Fax: 202-690-3165
BSE: Special Information Regarding BSE
In December 2003, the first case of BSE was confirmed in the United States.
As a result of this confirmation, numerous countries prohibited the importation of various animal products from the United States and some certificates located on the IREGS may not be endorsable for U.S. origin products.