Most US trading partner countries achieve FSIS equivalence standards for meat

The USDA/FSIS made the announcement on 14 December 1999 regarding the evalu ation of suitable implementation of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Contro l Point (HACCP) system by the meat exporting countries. The USDA/FSIS-inspe ctions had scrutinized the capability and reliability of the national food control systems for monitoring and detecting E. coli and Salmonella spp. re spectively. 32 of 37 countries evaluated have established equivalent HACCP/ Pathogen Reduction procedure, 5 countries have been delisted or suspended. This disposition is considered to be in accordance with the WTO and the rel ated SPS Agreement. According to the USDA/FSIS-opinion it is desirable that the microbiological control investigations are carried out by the laboratories of the food-saf ety authorities.