APHIS Extends Export Product Facility Inspection Grace Period through September 30, 2021

STAKEHOLDER ALERT: APHIS Extends Export Product Facility Inspection Grace Period through September 30, 2021

The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) recognizes the unprecedented challenges the COVID-19 pandemic is posing to performing animal product/byproduct export facility inspections and the concern for its impact on trade. President Biden called on APHIS to support the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. It is an honor for our employees to contribute to and support the relief effort.

To alleviate the impact on trade and to support our COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts, APHIS-VS is extending a grace period for Export Product Facility inspections for up to six months after the last date of valid inspection. The temporary grace period eligibility is determined by the relevant export health certificate language or bilaterally negotiated protocols, and will end no later than September 30, 2021.

This is a temporary measure with the expectation that inspection requirements will return to normal policy guidelines at an appropriate time.  

Please know we are making every effort to minimize service disruptions and ask for your patience as we are taking steps to prioritize activities.

For inspections and to renew existing export animal product facility approvals, please contact your respective VS Field Operations Office for guidance.

For any questions regarding export of animal products and byproducts, please contact Animal Product Exports at 301-851-3300, option 4 or send an email to APIE@usda.gov.

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