June 7, 2007

USDA establishes new programme requirements for cattle verification

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created new requirements for Beef Export Verification (EV) Program in selling beef in the international market.

For Japan, a specific requirement is that the beef from cattle should be of 20 months of age or less while for Hong Kong, Mexico and Canada, the age requirement is 30 months or less.

These EV age regulations must be met through cattle from a USDA Process Verified Program or from a USDA QSA Programme for age verification purposes. Simply put, beef is not eligible for export to Japan unless it comes from cattle less than 20 months of age and from cattle certified through a PVP or QSA.

For calves to define its original source and age, they must be enrolled in a PVP or QSA as previously described. A simple statement of "source and age verified" may quickly become equivalent to stating the cattle "have had all their shots."

A signed affidavit will not substitute for documentation provided through a USDA approved PVP or QSA.