With support from the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently joined USDA staff in meetings with Colombian officials designed to build a better understanding of the industry both in the U.S. and Colombia, according to a USMEF release. The seminar was an effort to build better relationships and ease red meat export challenges that have risen recently. In April, Columbia banned imports of beef from states where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in dairy cows.
U.S. officials gave a farm-to-fork view of the U.S. livestock industry, explaining the extensive safeguards that are in place to ensure food safety in the U.S., including mandatory Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements.
“The difference between Colombia and the U.S. is that Colombia has very few federally inspected plants, and in our country almost every, and especially every large plant, is federally inspected,” says USMEF Director of Export Services Courtney Heller. “And the infrastructure is very large and very effective. Another key difference between our industries is HACCP is not mandatory in many countries, including Colombia, but in the U.S., if you’re federally inspected, every facility is mandatorily using HACCP as part of their day-to-day operations”
Colombia is a major destination for U.S. pork, with exports racing to record pace in 2024. Through the first half of the year, shipments jumped 33% from a year ago to nearly 57,000 metric tons, while value soared 44% to $157.4 million. Beef exports to Colombia posted a strong first quarter but have struggled since HPAI-related restrictions were imposed this spring. First-half beef exports fell 22% year-over-year to 2,224 metric tons, valued at $13.4 million (down 13%).
Seminar participants included regulatory officials, port inspectors and others involved in the import process. Both sides have expressed interest in continuing the seminar on an annual basis.
