FSIS Issues Updated Importation Notice

December 5, 2008

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued Notice 88-08, which provides updated information to FSIS about the receipt, slaughter and inspection of cattle, bison, sheep and goats imported from Canada.

This notice cancels FSIS Notice 14-07 and updates the instructions for inspection of these animals with the following changes:

  • bovines born after March 1, 1999, arriving from Canada are eligible for slaughter;
  • verification of animals coming from the feedlot refers to activities involving sheep and goats only in this notice and no longer involves bovines;
  • FSIS personnel are to conduct another awareness meeting at establishments that have chosen to, or that may choose to, receive ruminants from Canada;
  • FSIS will no longer hold pregnant bovines, and pregnant cattle and bison are now eligible for slaughter;
  • collection of fetal bovine serum from the fetuses of Canadian animals is no longer prohibited; and
  • the notice identifies a new place to send the VS Form 1-27, "Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals.

To view this notice, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/88-08.pdf.

Reprinted from American Meat Institute



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