15 Action Steps Identified by the FSIS Investigation - USDA Beef Export Verification Program for Japan

U.S. Department of Agriculture
February 17, 2006

  Action Status Comments
Finding #1
1.  Upon submission of an establishment's Quality System Manual for approval by AMS for an EV program, AMS will notify the FSIS TSC. FSIS will provide training for the assigned establishment inspection program personnel. FSIS will ensure training is completed within 5 business days. FSIS will notify AMS when training has been completed. AMS will not approve an establishment for export until it receives notification from FSIS that training has been completed. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
2.  When an establishment is approved for an EV program, AMS will add the establishment to the list of approved establishments to send product to a particular country. AMS will notify FSIS of the listing by electronically transmitting a copy of the audit results to the FSIS TSC, which will notify the FSIS District Office. AMS will follow-up by electronically transmitting a full copy of the audit report to the FSIS TSC. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
3.  When an establishment is delisted, AMS immediately will notify the FSIS TSC which will notify the FSIS District Office. AMS will follow-up by electronically transmitting a copy of the notice of delisting, and if applicable, the audit report to the FSIS TSC. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
4.  The approved establishment will maintain a copy of all EV program audit reports in its records, and management will discuss the audit reports in their next weekly meeting with FSIS assigned establishment inspection program personnel. This will be added as a requirement for EV program approved establishments. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
5.  FSIS will acknowledge receipt of all audit results and reports provided by AMS. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
Finding #2
1.  When supplier and fabricator are separate establishments, AMS will require the fabricator to maintain a list of establishments that are approved EV suppliers for the fabricator. (In development) To be completed on or before March 1, 2006.
Finding #3
1.  Both AMS and FSIS will share the responsibility to confirm shipments for the EV program. To add another step in the process to confirm that requirements have been met, AMS will provide a second signature in the export certification process. (In development) Initiated on or before March 1, 2006, with ongoing development per discussion with importing countries.
Finding #4
1.  FSIS will hold a conference call with District Managers to review established procedures and export requirements for countries with EV programs. (Fully complete) Completed January 20, 2006.
2.  FSIS will provide additional training for its inspection workforce in the EV programs. (Fully complete) Implemented on January 23, 2006, and training on revised directives and notices is ongoing.
3.  All materials used in the training are being formatted into FSIS' e-training system for inspection program personnel. The system will allow follow-up training for new employees and for employees that rotate into an assignment that produces product subject to EV requirements. Successful completion will be documented for each employee. (In development) To be implemented on or before March 15, 2006, and ongoing after that.
4.  FSIS is preparing an updated FSIS Notice to clarify the roles and responsibilities regarding verification responsibilities for certifying beef products under EV programs. Additional training will be provided regarding the Notice. (In development) To be implemented on or before March 15, 2006, and ongoing after that.
5.  USDA has created an e-mail subscription option for inspection program personnel and establishment personnel in EV establishments to alert them when any changes are made to EV programs. (Fully complete) Completed January 24, 2006. To date, there are more than 600 subscribers.
6.  Upon submission of an establishment's Quality System Manual for approval by AMS for an EV program, AMS will notify the FSIS TSC. FSIS will provide training for the assigned establishment inspection program personnel. FSIS will ensure training is completed within 5 business days. FSIS will notify AMS when training has been completed. AMS will not approve an establishment for export until it receives notification from FSIS that training has been completed. (Fully complete) Completed Feb. 13, 2006.
Finding #5
1.  For each establishment with an approved EV program, AMS will maintain a list on an internal web site of specific products approved for export to each country participating in EV programs. Trained FSIS inspection program personnel will have access to this information. (In development) To be completed on or before March 1, 2006.
Policy Action to Ensure Implementation
1.  In order to effectively carry out these corrective actions, FSIS and AMS will implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies to outline appropriate responsibilities and authorities. (In development) To be completed on or before March 1, 2006.