Download Please Put The Title of Your Fact Sheet/PPT Here

Age Verification for Japan:
What is involved and is it
right for me?
Prepared by:
John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University
Western Extension
Marketing Committee
Western Center for
Risk Management
Education
Overview
• Japan was largest US beef export customer
in 2003
– 37% of volume and $1.4 billion
• Resume limited beef trade with US
– Beef from cattle under 21 months
• Verification program to prove age
– Signed affidavits alone are not enough
US Beef Exports 2003
Russia
0%
Caribbean
1%
Korea
23%
Mexico
23%
other
7%
Japan
37%
Canada
9%
Export Verification (EV) Program
• It outlines the specified product
requirements for beef to be eligible
for export to a specific country.
• Each country has EV standards
Export Verification (EV) Program
• Each plant must have a Quality
System Assessment Program
(QSA) explaining how it will
meet the requirement for each
country.
Current International Standards
(OIE) for Beef Trade
• Most countries other than Japan
• Boneless beef cuts from animals
younger than 30 months.
– So long as special safeguards are in
place to avoid any contamination of
the meat during slaughter.
Beef Export Verification (BEV)
Program for Japan
• Beef from cattle verified to be less
than 21 months of age.
• Two methods to confirm age
• Physiological maturity A40
• Production records
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Age Verification through Carcass
Evaluation
– Cattle of unknown age may be selected
through carcass evaluation
– Official USDA evaluation using the US
Standards for Carcass Beef
Age Verification
through Carcass Evaluation
Operate In
“Export for Japan”
Mode
Slaughter
USDA
Evaluator
Grading
J
・Processing
・Packing
・Storage
Shipping
Grading
for Japan
≤A40
Maturity Score
(Bone, Lean &
Overall)
USDA
Accepted as
Specified
・Processing
・Packing
・Storage
Shipping
to Japan
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Verification of age with production
records
• Cattle must be traceable to live
animal production records throughout
their life time.
• Two methods: Individual and group
ID
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Individual Animal Age Verification
– Animals must have unique individual
identification
– Records must be sufficient to trace the
individual animal back to ranch records
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Individual Animal Age Verification
– Records must indicate the actual date
of birth (month, day, year) of the
animal and must accompany each
animal through the process
NAIS is NOT Age Verification
• Recognize that NAIS is a confidential
animal id system not a market tool
• Tags used for NAIS may also be used to id
cattle for age verification, but NAIS is
NOT age verification
• Birthdays are not required for NAIS
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Group Age Verification
– All animals within a group and born
during the same calving season must be
individually identified
– Records must indicate the actual date
of birth (month, day, year) of the first
calf of the calving season
USDA Export Verification (EV)
Program for Japan
• Signed affidavits alone are not sufficient
to qualify cattle for Japan.
• The producer’s production records must
be part of a USDA-approved QSA
program or Process Verified program
(PVP).
• These programs require producer
evaluations and re-evaluations.
QSA and PVP
• Developed by company or organization
that is responsible for the program.
• Is evaluated, approved and will be audited
by USDA.
• A documented system that describes how
a producer manages his or her operation.
QSA and PVP
• Each producer must have a written quality
management system (QMS) that describes
what records are kept and where to find
them.
• The plan must ensure that everyone in the
operation knows and follows the protocol.
Quality Management System
• A written management system that must address:
– Documentation Requirements
– Management Responsibility
– Resource Management
– Production of Product
– Measurement, Analysis and Improvement
– Record Requirements
Producer Requirements
•
•
•
•
•
Records to validate age
Procedures – Farm or Ranch Plan
Records to validate activities
Must be repeatable
Producer is evaluated by company
and/or USDA to verify conformance.
Farm/Ranch Profile
• Description of the legal status
• Maps or descriptions were specific
animals are maintained
• Number of acres
• Number of breeding stock
• Feeding practices
• Timeline of operations
Farm/Ranch Profile
• Purchases of stock from outside
sources
• Breeding methods and seasons
• Calving seasons
• Name of veterinarian
• Type of animal identification
• Other procedures specific to the
ranch
Farm/Ranch Profile
RECORDS to support the farm/ranch profile
• Breeding season records
• Calving records
• Purchase records
• Sale records
• Trucking records
• Herd Health records
• Records of animal movement
Seed Stock /Cow Calf
Provide enough information
for an auditor to verify the
origin and ownership of the
animals identified and to
verify the stated
designation. Properly
identify and record all
animals according to the
designation
Birth records
Receiving records
Purchase records
Cow/Calf tag ID system
Sales receipts
Feed bills
Feeding records
Animal inventory
Acreage inventory
Site maps
APHIS VS Forms
Production estimates
Health records
Ownership records
Segregation plan
State Brand requirements
Replacement activities
Stocker / Backgrounder
Identify and segregate animals
as to the origin designation.
Properly identify all animals
sold. Maintain the integrity of
the identification. Maintain
ownership transfer.
Preconditioning /Feedlot
Upon receipt properly identify
animals according to their
designation. Segregate and control
animals. Properly identify all animals
sold. Maintain ownership records.
Transportation records
Receiving Records
Purchase Records
ID system
Sales Receipts
Feed bills
Transfer of ID System
Feeding records
Declaration documents
Preconditioning Records
APHIS requirements
VS Forms and Records
Transportation records
Receiving Records
Purchase Records
ID system
Sales Receipts
Feed bills
Pen records
Feeding Records
Shipping records
Rate of gain records –Yield records
APHIS requirements
VS Forms and Records
Health Records
Segregation plan
State Brand requirements
Replacement activities
Beef Quality Program
Beef Quality Program
Segregation plan
State Brand requirements
Accounting process for inbound
animals
Beef Quality Program
Five Primary Options To
Producers
1. Have own PVP or QSA
2. Enroll in a PVP or QSA with a
group of producers
3. Enroll in a PVP or QSA of the next
segment in supply chain
– Producer + Backgrounder
– Backgrounder + Feedlot
Five Primary Options To
Producers
4. Enroll in a QSA of a packer
– Involves all segments of the supply
chain
5. Enroll in a PVP or QSA from an
independent third party
– May use program compliant ear tags
Program Compliant Ear Tags
A Program Compliant Ear Tag is:
• Unique and specific to the Program.
• The tag must be applied at the farm
of birth, or an alternate location as
approved on a case by case basis.
Program Compliant Ear Tags
• Cattle with Program Compliant Ear
Tags may move through the
production system without further
verification activities.
• Companies receiving these cattle
must verify conformance prior to
inclusion.
Which one QSA or PVP?
It is very costly to develop your own QSA
or PVP.
• 2006 estimates are $8000 for USDA
costs and $4000 for a consultant.
• Spreading across producers reduces
development and approval cost but
increases enforcement and compliance
cost
• Probably not practical for individuals or
small groups
Which one QSA or PVP?
• In general, PVP are defined to be
broader than only age and source
• Most PVPs are independent
companies or associations
– There often is a cost beyond the price
of the tag to participate.
– Cattle in a PVP can be sold to anyone
needing to fulfill a BEV
Which one QSA or PVP?
• QSA only verify age and source
• Most QSAs are with a packer or
feedlot and they are not transferable
to other buyers
• There is typically little or no out-ofpocket cost to participate in a QSA
Factors to Remember
• NAIS is not QSA or PVP
– Tagging cattle for national ID does not
qualify them for Japan
• Premiums for age verification will
depend on market conditions
– Supply of A40 and QSA/PVP cattle
relative to the demand from Japan will
determine the premium
Summary
• QSA/PVP are not required to market cattle
• Japan is expected to rebuild the increasing
demand for age verification
• Other marketing programs do/will value
documented claims
• QSA/PVP follow good management
practices and may improve the overall
management of the operation