Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030C Procedure

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

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3 

 Date Issued 04/01/04

 

USDA BEEF EXPORT VERIFICATION (EV) PROGRAM:

SPECIFIED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS FOR BISON (BUFFALO) – 

CANADA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

1 Purpose

This document provides the specified product requirements for marketing U.S. bison (buffalo) to Canada 

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

2 Scope

These requirements apply to U.S. suppliers (slaughterers, fabricators, or processors) of bison, bison 

products, and bison offal items that are eligible for export to Canada and/or the EU as listed on the Food 

Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export website. Suppliers must meet the specified product 

requirements for Canada and the EU under the EV Program through an approved USDA Quality System 

Assessment (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 suppliers with an approved USDA QSA Program for the EV Program for Canada and the EU may 

label and sell product as meeting the specified product requirements for Canada and the EU under the EV 

Program.

3 References

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

QAD 1002 Procedure: USDA Quality System Assessment Program

QAD 1030: EV Programs Additional Requirements

USDA FSIS: Export Library – Requirements by Country website

Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to the USDA Bovine EV Programs 

4 Specified Product Requirements for Live Animals (For European Union Only)

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

4.2 The company must provide evidence of regular veterinary visits to the farm or ranch. 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.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030C Procedure

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

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3 

 Date Issued 04/01/04

 

4.3 The company must maintain an approved suppliers 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.

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

listing.

5 Specified Product Requirements

5.1 Bison (buffalo) and bison products must meet the following requirements:

5.1.1 For Canada - does not contain the following specified risk material (SRM): skull, 

brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, vertebral column, 

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

lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum, from bovine animals aged 30 

months and older; and the distal ileum of the small intestine and tonsils from 

bovine animals of all ages. (9 CFR 310.22). 

5.1.2 For the EU - does not contain the following SRM: vertebral column (excluding the 

vertebrae of the tail, the spinous and transverse processes of the cervical, thoracic, 

and lumbar vertebrae, and the median sacral crest and wings of the sacrum) and the 

dorsal root ganglia of bison 30 months of age and older; and the skull (excluding 

the mandible), brain, eyes, spinal cord, tonsils, the last four meters of the small 

intestine, the caecum, and mesentery of all bison. In addition, product must not be 

derived from mechanically separated meat. 

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 one of the following applicable statements:

6.1.2.1 “Product Meets EV Program Requirements for Canada and the EU” - This 

statement is used for finished items that are eligible for export.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1030C Procedure

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

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3 

Date Issued 04/01/04

6.1.2.2 “Product meets EV Program Requirements for Canada and the EU

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.

7 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 the EV Program for Canada and the EU will be listed on the Official Listing 

of Eligible Suppliers to the USDA Bovine EV Programs. U.S. suppliers meeting clause 4.1.1 will be 

uniquely identified on the Official Listing.

8 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 QAD1002 Procedure:

Quality System Assessment Program. 

__________________________________

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.