Temporary Transition to Off-Site Audits for
USDA Quality Systems Verification Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) remains committed to delivering timely services necessary for facilitating the movement of America’s food supply and will continue to take steps to meet challenges due to the COVID-19 national emergency.
In response to the rising need to meet the challenges associated with the new coronavirus disease, Covid-19, AMS’ Livestock and Poultry Program is transitioning to off-site audits to ensure the health and safety of employees while still providing the timely delivery of services.
Effective Monday, March 23, AMS Livestock and Poultry Program directed its auditing staff to conduct off-site audits. This is a temporary measure that will remain in effect until travel restrictions are lifted and ensures AMS can continue to provide uninterrupted service to customers of the USDA Process Verified Program, USDA Export Verification Programs, Commodity Procurement and other quality systems verification programs (QSVP).
- All off-site audits will be conducted in the same manner as our usual on-site audits by following the applicable program’s checklist and audit processes to ensure uniformity.
- Auditors will continue to review the same records and documentation that they would if they were performing the audit on-site.
- Each auditor will continue to submit an audit plan and cost estimate to every applicant.
- Auditors will communicate the need to review and verify all documentation required by the specific program, marketing claims, or export requirements, and do so by any file sharing methods preferred by the company. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways such as company secured sites, virtual meeting applications such as ZOOM, Skype, or using traditional mailing service (USPS, FedEx, UPS) etc.
We are committed to providing valuable and timely services to our customers. Please feel free to contact your Program Manager if you have further questions.
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