Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 8 

Date Issued 07/15/05

USDA POULTRY EXPORT VERIFICATION PROGRAM

SPECIFIED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION

1 Purpose

This document provides the specified product requirements for marketing U.S. Poultry to the European 

Union (EU) under the USDA Poultry Export Verification (PEV) Program. 

2 Scope

These requirements apply to U.S. growers that supply poultry to harvest and processing establishments 

that are eligible for export to European Union as listed on the Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(FSIS) website. Growers who wish to supply poultry as meeting the specified product requirements 

for EU under the PEV Program must meet these requirements through an approved USDA Quality 

System Assessment (QSA) Program.

3 References 

The following reference documents are used for the application of this document. For dated 

references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 

document (including any amendments) applies. 

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

QAD 1002 Procedure: USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program 

USDA FSIS: Export Library – Requirements by Country\European Union website

USDA AMS: Quality System Assessment Program website

4 Specified Product Requirements

The supplier must prepare and maintain a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manual that contains 

requirements for the production farm and production office. The GMP manual must contain the 

following documentation (at a minimum):

4.1 Production Farm Requirements

4.1.1 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biosecurity (dead bird disposal methods, 

chlorinator use, farm logs for visitors, type of housing for poultry (screened housing), 

sanitation stations, footbaths, pest control programs, etc.).

4.1.2 Feed Delivery records.

4.1.3 Mortality records.

4.1.4 Vaccination records (specifics of the type of vaccination program). 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 8 

Date Issued 07/15/05

4.1.5 Medication records (On farm records should have documentation of withdrawal times). 

4.1.6 Internal audits conducted by service technician on established GMP’s and corrective 

actions taken if deficiencies are observed. A formal audit must be conducted before 

starting the EU program and once during the life of the flock. The record of the internal 

audit must be sent to a company representative for signature of the EU certificate.

4.1.7 Records of regular veterinary visits to the operation. The frequency of these visits 

should at minimum be annually. 

4.1.8 All records must be retained for a minimum of three years.

4.2 Production Office Requirements

4.2.1 Documented testing program. 

4.2.2 Specific type of vaccination programs used. 

4.2.3 The company must maintain an approved suppliers listing. The approved suppliers 

listing must:

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

b) Identify the date that suppliers were removed from the suppliers listing; and

c) Be available to the USDA for review. 

4.2.4 Record of service technicians’ internal audits. 

4.2.5 Record of formulations (to show medications used in feed relate to records of inventory 

control and feed delivery). Verify that Ractopamine is not part of the feed formulation.

4.2.6 Drug inventory control records. 

4.2.7 Quality Assurance reports for feeding, residue testing, pellets, time, temperature, and 

microbiological.

4.2.8 Records of specifications for ingredients.

4.2.9 Records of water quality testing results.

4.2.10 Records of housing specifications. 

4.2.11 Records of housing maintenance requirements. 

4.2.12 Records of pest control program.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 8 

Date Issued 07/15/05

4.2.13 Records of feed withdrawal program (for residue and contamination control and 

representative notified about withdrawal times).

4.2.14 Records of residue control program with test results.

4.2.15 Records of NPIP breeder flock registration or proof of health program for S.pullorum, 

S.gallinarum, M. gallisepticum, and M. synoviae.

4.2.16 Records of hatchery sanitation program or participation in the NPIP Sanitation 

monitored program.

4.2.17 Records of vaccination program. 

4.2.18 Records for hatchery microbiological results with type of sampling program.

4.2.19 Records of feed deliver.

4.2.20 Affidavit sent from the production farm to the harvest facility attesting to the following 

animal health requirements: 

• Production farms do not utilize Canadian born poultry except those imported only as 

“day-old.” “Day-old” chicks are “all poultry less than 72 hours old, not yet fed and 

Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) or their crosses, less than 72 hours old whether 

or not fed”.

• Poultry being delivered to harvest facility are not from flocks that are under 

quarantine. 

• Flocks are located over 10 km away from the Mexican border. 

• Poultry have not been vaccinated against avian influenza. 

• Ractopamine is not part of the feed formulation.

A checklist is provided for auditors and industry representatives to verify the specified requirements 

listed above and to document audit findings. The checklist is divided into six sections: item number, 

verification audit item, measurement/verification, auditor instructions, item conformance, and 

observations/comments (see Exhibit 1).

5 Listing of Approved Programs 

U.S. suppliers that have an approved USDA QSA Program and have demonstrated the ability to 

produce products in accordance with this procedure will be listed on the Official Listing of Approved 

Suppliers Under the Poultry Export Verification (PEV) Program for the European Union. 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 4 of 8 

Date Issued 07/15/05

6 Responsibilities

U.S. suppliers must meet all requirements outlined in this procedure, Quality Systems Verification 

Programs, General Policies and Procedures, and the QSA Program. 

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

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

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

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 progra

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 

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

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 Pr

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 f

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 o

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

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

ffices, and 

eligion, sex, gender 

program, political 

ms). Remedies and 

Language, etc.) 

rvice at (800) 877-

ogram 

orm. To request a 

f the Assistant 

da.gov. 

________________________________ 

Jeff Waite, Branch Chief

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 5 of 8 

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

Dated Issued 07/15/05 Approved by __________JW

EXHIBIT 1

POULTRY EXPORT VERIFICATION CHECKLIST

Item # Verification Audit Item Measurement/Verification Auditor Instructions Conformance 

Yes/No Observations/Comments 

4.1 ON-FARM PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

4.1.1 SOP’s for biosecurity • Written company-approved 

biosecurity SOPs.

Verify Biosecurity SOPs.

4.1.2 Feed delivery records • On-farm feed tags for the 

flock showing 

batch/lot/mill producing the 

feed, formulation identifier 

and date of delivery.

Check for on-farm records as 

specified. 

4.1.3 Mortality records • Record showing daily 

mortality.

Verify availability of records.

4.1.4 Vaccination records • Record of vaccination date 

and vaccine used.

Verify vaccination records as 

specified.

4.1.5 Medication records • Feed tags and/or written 

logs of any medication 

used in the water.

Verify medication records as 

specified. 

4.1.6 Internal Audits • Performed Quarterly if 

shipping product, else an 

initial audit and then 

yearly. Retain for one 

year.

Verify internal audits are 

conducted on a quarterly and 

yearly basis.

4.1.7 Veterinary visits • Records of veterinary 

visits.

Verify visits are conducted at 

least annually.

4.1.8 Record Retention • All production records 

retained for at least 3 years. 

Verify records are retained for at 

least 3 year. 

4.2 PRODUCTION OFFICE REQUIREMENTS

4.2.1 Poultry and breeder vaccination 

program 

• Poultry vaccination 

program (application 

method, age, type of 

vaccine) with range of 

dates of use, vaccines, 

records of vaccine 

purchases. More than one 

program may be in use at 

any time. In such a case, 

Review program as specified.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 6 of 8 

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

Dated Issued 07/15/05 Approved by __________JW

Item # Verification Audit Item Measurement/Verification Auditor Instructions Conformance 

Yes/No Observations/Comments 

the farms under each 

program should be 

specified.

4.2.2 Type of vaccination programs 

used. 

• Program states the type of 

vaccination programs 

maintained. 

Review the type of programs.

4.2.3 Approved supplier listing. • List of suppliers must be 

maintained. 

Review list of suppliers

4.2.4 Service technician internal 

audits. 

• Record of audit performed 

by the service technician 

for each flock reviewing 

compliance with Good 

Manufacturing Review 

Program. 

Verify servicemen internal audit 

records? 

4.2.5 Formulations. • Feed formulations 

showing drugs used, 

amount and range of dates 

in use. Ractopamine shall 

not be used in 

formulation.

Verify formulations contain the 

required information. Verify 

that ractopamine is not part of 

the feed formulation.

4.2.6 Drug inventory control. • Records of drug inventory 

providing purchase and 

use information.

Verify inventory records as 

specified. 

4.2.7 Quality Assurance for feed: 

residue testing and pellet quality 

(time, temperature, and 

microbiological. 

• Feed ingredient residue 

test protocol and reports. 

Pellet quality testing 

protocol and reports for 

time, temperature and 

microbes. 

Verify records as specified.

4.2.8 Specifications for ingredients. • Written specifications 

used for purchase of 

ingredients. 

Verify records of specifications 

for ingredients and that 

ingredients match specifications.

4.2.9 Water quality testing. • Water quality testing 

records. 

Verify records for water testing.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 7 of 8 

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

Dated Issued 07/15/05 Approved by __________JW

Item # Verification Audit Item Measurement/Verification Auditor Instructions Conformance 

Yes/No Observations/Comments 

4.2.10 Contractual housing 

specifications. 

• Language in current 

grower contract relating to 

housing specifications.

Verify records for housing 

specifications. 

4.2.11 Contractual requirements for 

housing maintenance. 

• Language in current 

grower contract relating to 

housing maintenance.

Verify records for housing 

maintenance.

4.2.12 Pest control program • Rodent control program. 

Records for purchase of 

rodent control supplies.

Verify records for pest control 

program. 

4.2.13 Feed withdrawal program • Feed withdrawal protocol. Verify records of feed 

withdrawal program.

4.2.14 Residue control program 

(test results)

• Log with sampling and 

testing records. Protocol 

for sampling and testing. 

Medicated feed 

withdrawal records.

Verify records that a residue 

testing program is in place.

4.2.15 NPIP breeder flock registration 

or proof of health program for 

S. pullorum, S.gallinarum, M. 

gallisepticum, and M. synoviae.

• Records of NPIP breeder 

flock registration in MG, 

MS and PullorumTyphoid Programs or 

comparable in-house 

monitoring.

Verify records are in 

compliance with NPIP breeder 

flock registration and health 

program for S. Pullorum, S. 

gallinarum, M. gallisepticum, 

and M. synoviae..

4.2.16 Hatchery sanitation program or 

participation in the NPIP 

sanitation monitored program

• Status in NPIP Sanitationmonitored Program or 

protocol for sanitation 

program. 

NOTE-IF THE HATCHERY 

IS IN THIS 

PROGRAM, YOU 

WON’T NEED TO DO 

4.2.18.

Verify records are in 

compliance with NPIP 

sanitation monitored program. 

Or review protocol and records 

verifying program is in practice.

4.2.17 Records of vaccination 

program 

• Vaccination program and 

vaccination records. 

Verify records that a 

vaccination program is in place.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1063 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop August 11, 2021

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 8 of 8 

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

Dated Issued 07/15/05 Approved by __________JW

Item # Verification Audit Item Measurement/Verification Auditor Instructions Conformance 

Yes/No Observations/Comments 

4.2.18 Records for hatchery

microbiological results. (Type 

of sampling)

• Sampling protocol and 

testing records or logs.

Verify records for hatchery 

microbiological test results and 

sampling protocol.

4.2.19 Control of feed delivery • Records of delivery 

showing 

batch/farm/date/drug. 

Verify feed delivery records as 

specified. 

4.2.20 Affidavit sent from the 

production farm to the 

harvest facility attesting to 

the following animal health 

requirements: 

• Production farms do not 

utilize Canadian born 

poultry except those 

imported only as “day-old”. 

“Day-old” chicks are “all 

poultry less than 72 hours 

old, not yet fed and 

muscovy ducks (Cairina 

moschata) or their crosses, 

less than 72 hours old 

whether or not fed”.

• Poultry being delivered to 

harvest facility are not from 

flocks that are under 

quarantine. 

• Flocks are located over 10 

km away from the Mexican 

border. 

• Poultry have not been 

vaccinated against avian 

influenza. 

• Ractopamine is not part of 

the feed formulation.

• Affidavit and additional 

records verifying 

conformance. 

Verify affidavit and any other 

records confirming that theses 

animal health requirements are 

being met.