U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Completes Initial Audit as Part of Lithuanian Equivalency Application
September 26, 2012
On September 26th, a team of inspectors led by Office of International Affairs Veterinary Medical Officer Faiz Agarib completed a 16 day evaluation of five meat processing plants and the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service oversight mechanisms. The audit was part of an equivalency application for meat that will allow Lithuania to export meat products to the U.S.
Agarib was pleased how responsive the State Food and Veterinary Service to his requests and findings. He noted that he had found nothing that would require a follow up audit or impede the certification process. A final audit report should be ready soon, which will be followed by a rulemaking process to add Lithuania to the list of countries authorized to export meat to the U.S.