Export Inspection UpdateJuly 2010

Overview• Export Inspection Background

• Sequence of Events

• Staff requirements

• Recent Trends

Export Inspection• Assures that commodities meet phytosanitary standards of destination country

• Facilitates passage to foreign markets

• Logs, lumber, hay, grain, plants, seeds

• Requires official inspection and….

• An official document – the “phyto”

The Phyto

• Federal Phytosanitary Certificate (FPC)

• Internationally recognized document

• Signifies a clean bill of health

• Identifies the commodity, origin, destination, exporter, consignee and inspection

Sequence of Events

• Exporter files application, then MDA:• researches export requirements & schedules inspection• inspects commodity per USDA policy• conducts testing • verifies treatments • issues FPC

Staff requirements • Authorized Certification Official (ACO)• Minimum: Degree plus 1 year experience• USDA accreditation training – 3 days• USDA refresher training every 3 years • Training in USDA and international standards, policies and

procedures

Recent Trends

• Phytosanitary Certification Issuance and Tracking System (PCIT)

• Online system developed by USDA

• Allows national coverage for exporters

• Ease of data retrieval & reports

• Uniform use of terms & format

• Michigan implemented use in 2008

Recent Trends

• Increase in exports

• 2,400 FPC’s in 2008; 3,417 in 2009

• Export Destinations– Canada 44%– Mexico 25%– European Union 13% – Pacific rim 13% – Caribbean basin 4%