The ARC Branch announces 2 new USDA QSA Marketing Programs. The requirements of the QSA Marketing Program must be supported by a documented quality management system, the requirements of which are defined in ARC 1002 Procedure. The ARC Branch verifies the supplier’s documented quality management system through independent, third party audits in accordance with ARC 1000 Procedure.

At the request of the U.S. exporters of beef and beef products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established for Taiwan importers a new Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program. This program will be called the “USDA Less than 30 Month (LT30) Age-Verification Quality System (QSA) Program, Korea and Taiwan.” This is the most effective way to verify that product from eligible plants will be derived from cattle less than 30 months of age. This program will be implemented upon entry into force of the new protocol for the Taiwan portion of this program.

The USDA Less than 30 Months (LT30) Age Verification QSA Program for Korea and Taiwan (QSA Program for Korea and Taiwan) facilitates the international trade of U.S. beef and beef products to customers in Korea and Taiwan who request products be derived from animals less than 30 months of age at the time of slaughter. The QSA Program for Korea and Taiwan requirements are outlined in ARC 1035A Procedure.

The approved Programs listed on the Official Listing below have been found in conformance with the requirements of USDA QSA Program for Korea and Taiwan. These suppliers have been audited and approved by AMS and are eligible to ship product derived exclusively from animals determined to be less than 30 months of age at the time of slaughter under their approved USDA QSA Program for Korea and Taiwan.

Note: Plant approval and listing for Taiwan will begin when the QSA for Korea and Taiwan program is fully implemented upon entry into force of the new protocol for Taiwan.

The USDA QSA Program for Segregation of Cattle Material Prohibited from Animal Feed (QSA S-CMPAF Program) provides verification through audits that U.S. companies produce bovine inedible raw materials free of prohibited cattle material intended for use as an ingredient in U.S. animal feed that is offered to rendering plants or other facilities as published in 21 CFR Part 589 Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed.

The approved Programs listed on the Official Listing below have been found in conformance with the requirements of USDA QSA S-CMPAF Program. These suppliers have been audited and approved by AMS.