Government Agencies Web Site Provides Latest Trade Agreement News
Several government agencies are administering a Web site to provide the latest information on trade agreements waiting for approval from Congress. The site, located at http://TradeAgreements.gov, is a joint effort between the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State, Treasury and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

USDA Announces Online System For U.S. Exporters And Banks
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) launched a web site that will expedite and simplify documentation for three USDA export financing programs.The system also helps fulfill USDA's electronic goals by providing online trade assistance and electronic access to USDA loan programs. To view site, go to  GSM Online System  

Exporters who need further information should contact the Contract and Registration Branch of FAS at (202) 720-3224, or by e-mail at AskGSM@fas.usda.gov. U.S. banks needing further information should contact the Financial Management Division of the Farm Service Agency at (703)-305-0957.

Agribusiness e-Market Express
"Agribusiness e-Market Express" is a monthly e-bulletin that lists the most recent agribusiness market research, trade leads and trade events. To view the bulletin, go to http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/agribusiness.html

Saudi Arabia Self-Certification
This document is to be completed for all beef exports destined for Saudi Arabia. This document must accompany the USDA-FSIS export certificate for all shipments of beef to Saudi Arabia.
Self-Certification

Singapore Exporter Affidavit
Exports to Singapore require an exporter affidavit indicating beef from cattle raised in Mexico and imported for immediate slaughter in the U.S. are excluded for export to Singapore. This would be reflected in signed affidavits lodged with the Director-General, Agri-Food and Veterinary Services, by individual establishments wishing to export to Singapore.
Instructions for Filing the Affidavit
Sample Affidavit

U.S. Meat Processor Affidavit List for Export of Beef to Singapore
All meat products and processed egg products exported to Singapore can only come from sources approved by Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). For detailed listings of foreign meat and egg processing establishments approved to export to Singapore, go to the AVA Web site and click the link for approved establishments. To access the list of establishments approved by USDA Agriculture Marketing Service for Export Verification programs, go to the BEV Listing on the USDA Web site. The following lists the companies along with establishment numbers approved to export beef to Singapore.

AB Foods, Washington Beef Division - 235
American Foods Group, LCC - 410
Cargill Meat Solutions - 86E, 86H
Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC - 27
Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. - 960, 960A
Harris Ranch Beef Company - 783
J.F. O'Neill Packing Company - 889A
Loggins Meat Company, Inc. - 7033
MacDonald Meat Company, LLC - 1557
National Beef California LP - 21488
National Beef Packing Company - 208A, 262
Nebraska Beef Ltd - 19336
PM Beef Holdings, LLC - 683
Smithfield Beef Group Moyer Packing Company - 1311
Smithfield Beef Group Packerland Packing Company - 562, 562M
Smithfield Beef Group Sunland Beef Company - 267
Stock Yard Packing CO - 105
Swift & Company - 3D, 969G
Tyson Foods, Inc. - 245, 245C

Beef Export Verification (BEV) Program
To meet current requirements of the government of Mexico and Canada, U.S. beef suppliers should consider voluntary participation in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Beef Export Verification (BEV) Program. For more information, consult AMS online BEV program information at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/bev.htm or its program overview at http://www.ams.usda.gov/bevprocedures.pdf. In addition, you may find the following materials helpful:

• LS Form 313, required to request an initial assessment of eligibility for the BEV Program, is available online at:   http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mgc/ls-313.pdf.
• AMS regularly updates its BEV Program Q&A
• A sample cover letter which must accompany the LS Form 313.
• An example BEV Program Policies and Procedures chart.
• A Sample Quality Plan Addressing Program Requirements and a Plan-Do-Check-Act chart to help exporters plan what their companies need to do to participate in the BEV Program.
• BEV Program checklist.

BEV Program - Appendix A, Processed Beef Products
AMS has established an additional BEV program for processed beef products, which are defined as ready-to-eat products that contain at least 2 percent cooked beef that has been subjected to heat or drying and do not contain products derived from edible rendering. Seasoned, marinated, breaded or other uncooked products do not fit this definition and are instead covered under the standard BEV program above. Click here for details on the BEV Appendix A program for processed beef products, including chapter 9 CFR, section 94.18 and ARC Instruction 1000 Quality Systems Verification Program General Policies and Procedures.

How to Export
Direct Exports From The Farm
A graphic representation of the steps and documents involved for directly exporting from the farm.
Indirect Exports From The Farm
A graphic representation of the steps and documents involved for indirectly exporting from the farm.
A Guide To Exporting Pork
A 19 page guide to exporting pork products - including how to identify buyers, how to move your product overseas, what documents are involved and recommendations on methods of payment.
Overview of Export Credit Guarantee Programs
USMEF issue backgrounder providing an overview of the export credit guarantee programs.
Metric Converter
Web page for metric conversions of weights, lengths and pressure.

USDA Comparison Charts
Comparison of Certified Beef Programs
Comparison of Certified Pork Programs