The agreement enters into force on August 1. The concept of the equivalency agreement allows veterinary inspection requirements to differ from country to country but ensures the United States' right to establish its own level of public health protection. The signing of the agreement is the result of six years of negotiating and compromising on both USDA's and the EU's part. The overall framework for the veterinary equivalency agreement was agreed to in April 1997. To date, the EU has also concluded veterinary equivalency agreements with Canada, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.
Negotiations are ongoing with Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.