USDA CONSIDERS MEAT IMPORTS FROM SLOVAKIA

USDA CONSIDERS MEAT IMPORTS FROM SLOVAKIA    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is    considering allowing Slovakia to export meat and meat products to the United    States.
   “Reviews by FSIS of Slovakia’s laws, regulations, and other written    materials show that its meat processing system meets requirements that are    equivalent to the relevant provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations,” the agency said.
   This proposal would apply to “certified establishments” in the country, and would cover exports of products derived from cattle, sheep, swine, and goats. “All meat products will be reinspected at the U.S. ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors as required by law,” the agency said.
   In 1972, former Czechoslovakia completed the eligibility process to export meat products to the United States. The country maintained this status until January. 1, 1993 when it split into two separate countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic, however, maintained its privileges to export meat to the United States.
   The USDA said it would take comments from the industry regarding Slovakia meat exports to the United States through October 12. For more information, contact Sally Stratmoen, acting director of International Policy Development Staff for USDA, at (202)720-6400.