Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1015 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 May 27, 2022

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3 

 Date Issued 05/27/22

 

USDA EXPORT VERIFICATION PROGRAM FOR PRODUCTS TRANSITING 

THE EUROPEAN UNION 

1 Purpose

This document provides the specified product requirements for exporting U.S. products to third countries 

while transiting the European Union (EU) under the USDA Export Verification (EV) Program.

2 Scope

These requirements apply to U.S. suppliers (slaughterers) of beef, pork, and poultry that are transiting the 

EU and destined for third countries. Neither further processors, nor fabricators or processors are required 

to meet the Program requirements; however, each will need to receive the certificate with the product

from the slaughter facility. The only type of meat and poultry facility required to meet the Program 

requirements are slaughter facilities. Companies/suppliers must meet the specified product requirements 

for the EU through this EV Program. 

Only companies/suppliers with an approved USDA EV Program for EU Transit may label and sell 

product as meeting the specified product requirements for transiting the EU under this program. 

3 References

QAD 1000 Procedure: Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures

USDA FSIS: Export Library – Requirements by Country website

Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for EU Transit 

4 Mode of Verification 

4.1 Verification for this program shall be done semi-annually and offsite via virtual/desk audit. 

Exceptions are as follows:

a) Companies/suppliers approved to export product directly to the EU will already have 

an export program in place to meet these requirements. Verification for this program 

may be done onsite in conjunction with regularly scheduled EV audits. 

b) Companies/suppliers with EV programs for other countries other than the EU may 

have these requirements verified during their regularly scheduled onsite EV audit. 

4.2 When the assigned auditor contacts the company/supplier to schedule this audit, the 

company/supplier shall set up the virtual meeting via the carrier of their choice (ie. 

Microsoft Teams, Webex, Zoom, etc.). 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1015 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 May 27, 2022

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3

Date Issued 05/27/22

4.3 The company/supplier shall provide all records requested by the auditor in support of the 

specified product requirements listed below. Records may be reviewed by the auditor by 

sharing desktop/screen or through use of a file sharing system.

5 Specified Product Requirements

5.1 Production records must be maintained for a minimum of three years.

5.2 The company/supplier must provide evidence of regular veterinary visits to the supplier 

(farm, ranch, feedlot, etc.). The frequency of these visits should at minimum be annually. 

The supplier must provide the harvest facility with an affidavit indicating that this 

requirement is met.

5.3 The company must maintain an approved supplier listing. The approved suppliers listing 

must:

a) Identify the supplier’s name, address, and approval date; and

b) Be available to the USDA for review.

5.4 The company must maintain the date that suppliers were removed from the suppliers 

listing.

5.5 Imported animals entering the US for direct slaughter are not eligible for this program.

5.6 Identification and segregation of conforming product must be maintained throughout the 

supply chain. A documented procedure for identification and segregation of conforming 

product must be maintained.

6 Shipping Documentation

6.1 Identification of conforming product during shipment and delivery must be documented on 

the shipping documentation (bills of lading, shipping manifests, or letters of guarantee). 

The shipping documentation must:

6.1.1 Clearly identify the product and product quantity; and

6.1.2 Contain the following applicable statement:

6.1.2.1 “Product Meets EV Program Requirements for EU Transit”

7 Listing of Approved Programs

U.S. companies/suppliers that have demonstrated the ability to produce products in accordance with the 

EV Program for EU Transit will be listed on the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for EU Transit.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1015 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 May 27, 2022

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3 

 Date Issued 05/27/22

 

8 Responsibilities

U.S. companies/suppliers must meet all policies and procedures outlined in this procedure, and QAD 

1000 Procedure: Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures.

__________________________________

Jeff Waite, Branch Chief

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender 

identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 

complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) 

should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-

8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program 

Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a 

copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.