July 24, 2003

US Exports Of Beef, Pork And Poultry Meat Faces Ban After Poland Joins EU

In 2003, the U.S. is expected to remain a major supplier of beef tripe to Poland as well as small amounts of high quality beef steaks and pork hams for processing.

Poland will join the European Union in May 2004. However, according to the Polish Veterinary Service the new health certificates for red meat and poultry meat will be implemented as of December 1, 2003 or January 1, 2004.

Implementation of new health certificates similar to the health certificates used in the EU are required by the EU in order to harmonize border inspection in Poland prior to actual accession.

Introduction of EU health certificates and veterinary regulations planned 6 months prior to actual accession will practically ban exports of U.S. live cattle, beef, pork and offal.

Poland remains a major importer of beef offal annually importing approximately 10,000-15,000 tons.

The United States is the major supplier of beef tripe. Requirements for hormone-free beef can also block imports of U.S. origin beef tripe by Poland, except from EU approved facilities, due to current U.S. market access constraints to EU markets.

However, Spain is allowed to import U.S. origin beef tripe and Poland may seek similar access for U.S. beef tripe. There is a chance that Poland will seek, as was the case with Spain, continuation of imports of beef tripe from the United States.

Exports of U.S. origin animal genetics, mainly bovine semen and embryos will continue. U.S. exports of animal origin products will have to meet the same requirements/barriers as they currently do for export to the EU.

Source: USDA