US Meat Export Federation Works to Streamline Canada Meat Exports

Canada is a top five destination for both US beef and pork exports, but shipments are sometimes slowed by regulatory issue.

The recent transition to the Public Health Information System export module was intended to reduce paperwork and simplify the export process, but as Courtney Heller US Meat Export Federation, director of export services, explains, some documentation obstacles persist for US exporters.

“Phis was intended to reduce paperwork in human error, and when a system goes online, all of the paperwork like letterhead, certificates or testing requirements go into that pH is system which allows the inspectors, both on the USDA side and in Canada, just see sign process more quickly. We're finding that our electronic system is requiring paperwork, and that was not the intention, so we're working with Canada to streamline the documentation process.”

Heller adds up because the food system and inspection systems in the US and Canada are so similar, red meat trade between the two countries could be further streamlined us. USMEF is working with industry partners to develop recommendations that could simplify regulatory processes and help to increase US exports to Canada. Last year, Canada was the fourth-largest market for us pork exports and the fifth-largest for US beef.