Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030U Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3 

 Date Issued 03/02/07

 Date Revised 04/01/19 

USDA EXPORT VERIFICATION (EV) PROGRAM 

SPECIFIED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS FOR BOVINE

1 Purpose

This document provides the specified product requirements for marketing U.S. bovine meat and meat

products under the USDA Export Verification (EV) Program for Bovine. This program facilitates the 

international trade of U.S. bovine meat and meat products for those countries that require the vertebral 

column to be removed from animals 30 months of age and older. 

2 Scope

These requirements apply to U.S. suppliers (harvesters, fabricators, and processors) of bovine meat and 

meat products offered for export to countries that require the vertebral column to be removed from 

animals 30 months of age and older. Suppliers must meet the specified product requirements for Bovine 

under the EV Program through an approved USDA QSA Program. The requirements for the QSA 

Program are defined in QAD 1002 Procedure: USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program. The 

QSA Program ensures that the specified product requirements are supported by a documented quality 

management system.

Only companies with an approved USDA QSA Program for the EV Program for Bovine may label and 

sell product as meeting the specified product requirements for bovine under the EV Program. 

3 Reference Documents

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

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

QAD 1030: EV Programs Additional Requirements

USDA FSIS: Exporting Products website

USDA AMS: Bovine, Ovine, and Caprine Export Verification Programs website 

4 Specified Product Requirements

4.1 Bovine meat and meat products must meet the following requirements: 

4.1.1 Harvest, dressing, and processing procedures must ensure the hygienic removal of 

the brain, skull, eyes, trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, vertebral column (including 

the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar 

vertebrae, and the wing of the sacrum), and dorsal root ganglia from cattle 30 

months of age and older, and the tonsils and distal ileum of the small intestine from 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030U Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3 

Date Issued 03/02/07

Date Revised 04/01/19 

cattle regardless of age, to prevent the contamination of these tissues with beef 

products being produced for export to countries included in the EV Program for 

Bovine.

Note: The meat cannot be derived from animals imported from Canada for immediate 

harvest. This applies to product intended for export to Colombia and Peru only.

4.2 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:

4.2.1 Clearly identify the product and product quantity; and 

4.2.2 Contain one of the following applicable statements: 

4.2.2.1 "Product meets EV Program requirements for Bovine or the specified 

country" - This statement is used for finished items that are eligible for 

export. 

4.2.2.2 "Product meets EV Program requirements for Bovine or the specified 

country, excluding final fabrication requirements" - This statement is 

used for items that must be further fabricated to meet all requirements 

prior to being eligible for export.

5 Listing of Approved Programs

U.S. suppliers who generate products that meet the specified product requirements for Bovine are listed 

on the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to the USDA Bovine EV Programs. 

6 Responsibilities

U.S. suppliers must meet all policies and procedures outlined in this procedure, QAD 1000 Procedure:

Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures, and QAD 1002 Procedure:

USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program. 

___________________________________

Jeff Waite, Branch Chief

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030U Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3 

Date Issued 03/02/07

Date Revised 04/01/19 

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