 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Remarks prepared for delivery by Karen Stuck,
Assistant Administrator for FSIS' Office of International Affairs, to the meeting of Packer and
CEO participants in Export Verification Programs, January 24, 2006, Washington, DC.
Slides to accompany this presentation (PDF Only; 561kb)
(Slide 1)
FSIS is responsible for maintaining the export requirements for our worldwide trading partners.
We are primarily responsible for:
- Working with our international colleagues regarding changes in the current requirements through the Foreign Agriculture Service;
- Working with our field operations staff to assure new requirements can be met;
- Working with industry to assure new requirements can be met; and
- Updating country requirements.
(Slide 2)
What is the purpose of Export Certification? Export certification is an attestation by FSIS that the product
identified on the certificate has been inspected and passed by FSIS and also meets any additional requirements
communicated to us by the importing county.
FSIS is seen by foreign countries as the "Competent Authority" for providing such certification since we are
the veterinary inspection service for the United States. In order to maintain the level of confidence we want
countries to have in our certificates, we must maintain integrity, security, and accuracy in the program.
Both FSIS and exporters have important roles to play in assuring that certificates are accurate and that
they do not create problems when they arrive in the foreign country.
I am sure you are all aware that Secretary Johanns committed FSIS to re-certifying our personnel to ensure
that they are properly trained. Yesterday, I presented similar information to our personnel in a Net cast.
(Slide 3)
First, let's go over the references you can use regarding export certification. FSIS Form 9060-6, is the
"Application for Export Certificate." It is the form that you will use to provide information on the export
shipment and certify that requirements are met. FSIS Form 9060-5 is the "Export Certificate of Wholesomeness," which
FSIS issues for every export shipment. Finally, FSIS Form 9290-1 is the "Certificate for Export to Japan."
(Slide 4)
This slide lists the Web site where the Export Requirements, sometimes referred to as the Export Library can be
found. These are the requirements for each country that have been agreed to by the governments of the United
States and the receiving country. They should be used to determine the eligibility of shipments for export and
provide guidance to you as to what requirements you need to meet in order to export product to that country.
Before this meeting began, FSIS employees were helping to assist you in signing up for an automatic email alert that
lets you know immediately when export requirements change.
If you did not have a chance to sign up before the meeting, I hope you will stop by afterwards so that they can help
you sign up for these e-mail alerts. Of course you can also sign up for this service on our Web site.
(Slide 5)
The export requirements include listings for over 100 countries. For each, there is a listing of eligible and
ineligible products; a listing of processing requirements, if they differ from FSIS requirements, a listing of the
documentation and certification requirements; and for those countries operating under Export Verification, or EV
programs, a link to the AMS Web site.
(Slide 6)
FSIS Form 9060-6, "Application for Export Certificate," is completed by the exporter and then provided
to the FSIS inspector who reviews and signs the application.
You, as the exporter are expected to complete and sign this application, and your signature attests that the
requirements of the foreign country have been met. Remember that you can find these country requirements on the
FSIS Web site under the key word "export library." You need to check these requirements before submitting
any application to make sure you have the most recent information. They are subject to frequent changes, and this
is why we provide you with automatic email updates.
On the export Web site, there is a listing of the most recent updates. Each of the country listings carry a date in
the upper left corner, that represents the last revision, so you can check to make sure you have the most recent
information.
Please note that the FSIS inspector may request you to provide this information from the Web site as part of the
application.
(Slide 7)
The 9060-6 is used for both original applications for export certificate and for "in-lieu of" or replacement
certificate applications. In this section, you enter the name of the applicant—which is the exporter, country of
destination, plant number, district number, and the date of the request for the certificate.
(Slide 8)
In this next section, you will provide the details of the shipment by listing each product separately along with
the details about shipping marks, establishment number and volume.
(Slide 9)
In block 14, for Japan certificates, you need to be sure to enter the words: "Products meets EV Program
requirements for Japan." You can find this information in the Export library. Also be sure to list the
additional certificates needed, such as Form 9290-2 and a Letterhead certificate for Japan.
Once complete, you will then sign the application attesting to the following:
"Under penalty of law, I certify that the product covered by this application for
export meets the inspection requirements for the country of destination. I will provide documentation to
FSIS program employees upon request."
(Slide 10)
Your signature on the application attests that:
- The Product is eligible for export to the country;
- The plant is eligible to export product to the country, and for countries requiring an Export Verification Program, the plant is listed on the AMS Web site (A link to the AMS Web site is in the FSIS Export Requirements for countries with Export Verification programs); and
- The plant maintains segregation of product. This means that product eligible for export to a country, is not mixed with product that is not eligible for export.
(Slide 11)
The 9060-5 is the FSIS Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness, and is issued by FSIS for all export shipments.
After the application is approved by the FSIS inspector, form 9060-5 will be issued to the plants, which provides
the serial number for the export stamp that will be put on all boxes in the shipment.
Establishment personnel generally complete the data entries on this certificate, and the information needs to be
consistent with the information on the application.
(Slide 12)
This is the section that identifies who is exporting the product and who is receiving the product.
(Slide 13)
We need to pay close attention to the completion of this section.
The plant number on the product must reflect a plant that has been approved to participate in the AMS
Export Verification program.
For Japan, we do not need to include additional certification statements in the remarks section.
I also urge you to remember that any unused columns of this section should be lined out.
(Slide 14)
The FSIS inspection official will review the application and the certificate before signing.
(Slide 15)
Make sure the certificate is accurate and does not have items crossed out or corrected. If there are minor
erasures or alterations and the foreign country accepts these on the certificate, the inspector will have to
initial them to indicate the certificate as corrected is accurate. The Export Library will indicate if a country
will accept alterations. Please note that most countries do not.
(Slide 16)
If continuation sheets are used make sure they comply with the requirements in FSIS Directive 9000.1.
You can find this information in the export library on FSIS' Web site that I mentioned earlier.
The inspector will not sign the certificate and other forms until they are assured that all requirements are met.
If the inspector has any questions or concerns, they will ask the exporter to supply additional documentation.
(Slide 17)
Many countries require an additional certificate to that country, including Japan. This certificate is issued in
addition to the 9060-5.
This form must provide information about the consignment that includes specific product identification information,
production date, number of boxes, manufacturer.
(Slide 18)
Be sure to complete the information in these blocks. All of the block must be filled.
In the FSIS Export Library requirements for Japan, there is a "Clarification of Export Procedures for Certifying
Product" document that provides specific guidance on the completion of the data blocks on the 9290-1 certificate.
(Slide 19)
Again, be sure to complete the information in all of these blocks.
The slaughter establishment information must be included in Block 5 for all products. The information on cutting
establishments must be included in Block 6. Packing date (month/day/year) must be included in Block 7; however a
range of dates is acceptable. In block 8, the name and address of the manufacturing plant is required, and you can
enter "see Block 6" if it is the same information.
(Slide 20)
The information in this section must properly identify the exporter and the importer.
Block 9 must include the slaughter and production dates, and again a range of dates is acceptable. The slaughter
date must be on or after the approval date for the EV program on the AMS list. In block 10, identify FSIS as the
agency conducting the inspection. A signature is then required by an FSIS inspection official.
(Slide 21)
Letterhead certificates are issued for certain products and certain countries. Check the Export Library requirements.
Most Letterhead certificates are in the library. In a few instances, the library provides the information needed for
the Letterhead certificate, and the plant will need to download it from the Web site. The Web site will indicate
the information that must be included. Please remember that the Letterhead certificate is prepared in quadruplicate,
with the same distribution as the 9060-5.
In all cases—whether it's the 9060-5, the Certificate of Wholesomeness, or a country-specific certificate or a
Letterhead certificate—the same criterion applies. The information on the certificate should be consistent
with the information on the application and the product and plant should be eligible for export to the country
of destination.
As you know, Secretary Johanns indicated that FSIS will begin requiring a second signature on certification.
FSIS is currently exploring options on how to best accomplish this. Procedures are being looked at and will be
discussed with plant management in the weekly PBIS meeting. When the procedures are in place FSIS will issue a
public notice.
(Slide 22)
This completes the overview of beef export certification, and I would be happy to take questions.
|
| —END— |
Last Modified:
January 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
