Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AMMAN51
2008-01-07 11:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
GOJ REQUESTS SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR A LOCAL FIRM TO EXPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #0051 0071114 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 071114Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1376 RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3461 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS AMMAN 000051
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ
FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
FAS FOR OFFICE OF TRADE PROGRAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD JO
SUBJECT: GOJ REQUESTS SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR A LOCAL FIRM TO EXPORT
MEAT PRODUCTS TO THE U.S.
UNCLAS AMMAN 000051
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ
FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
FAS FOR OFFICE OF TRADE PROGRAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD JO
SUBJECT: GOJ REQUESTS SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR A LOCAL FIRM TO EXPORT
MEAT PRODUCTS TO THE U.S.
1. This is an action request for USDA. Please see para 5.
2. Post received January 2 a dipnote requesting the U.S. give
favorable consideration to a petition from the Jordanian private
food processing company Nabil Food to export to the U.S. "ethnic"
food produced in Jordan, but containing meat from American sources.
The dipnote and request were accompanied by endorsement from the
Jordan Food and Drug administration (JFDA). Nabil Food, a certified
supplier to local outlets of American franchises like McDonald's,
Subway, and Arby's, and exporter of pasta products to the U.S., has
met numerous quality assurance standards and adheres to a variety of
American and international standards including International
Standards Organization (ISO) 2200 on food safety and hazard
analysis, European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS),and
CENTCOM requirements for products for U.S. forces in the region.
Nabil now wants to expand its line of export products to the U.S.
and at the same time play a leading role in improving local food
industry standards.
3. Jordan is a net food importing country that acquires most of its
food from abroad; 65 percent of meat products comes from outside
Jordan and the prices of imported meat are often half that of
locally produced items. In general, the food industry relies on
foreign sources for red meat in order to remain competitive and to
bypass the poor handling procedures common to slaughter houses run
by the municipalities. In using imported American meat for its
products, Nabil proposes adopting U.S. standards, and JFDA has
offered to inspect and certify that the factory is being operated in
accordance with local, international, and U.S. standards.
4. In February 2005, a committee from the Food Safety Inspection
Service (FSIS) of the Department of Agriculture conducted a field
inspection tour of many Jordanian food facilities and submitted a
Report of an Initial Equivalence Assessment, detailing the necessary
improvements and upgrades required in order for Jordan to export
meat products to the U.S. There has been little official progress
to date. Despite the lack of improvements made by the various
government entities responsible for enforcing safety requirements
and meatpacking regulations, the private sector has forged ahead and
is now equipped with cutting-edge technology and follows
international food processing practices.
5. ACTION REQUEST FOR USDA: Please provide guidance on how to
respond to the dipnote and outline the steps that would need to be
taken in order for a single company like Nabil to receive
certification to export meat products to the U.S.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
HALE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ
FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
FAS FOR OFFICE OF TRADE PROGRAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD JO
SUBJECT: GOJ REQUESTS SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR A LOCAL FIRM TO EXPORT
MEAT PRODUCTS TO THE U.S.
1. This is an action request for USDA. Please see para 5.
2. Post received January 2 a dipnote requesting the U.S. give
favorable consideration to a petition from the Jordanian private
food processing company Nabil Food to export to the U.S. "ethnic"
food produced in Jordan, but containing meat from American sources.
The dipnote and request were accompanied by endorsement from the
Jordan Food and Drug administration (JFDA). Nabil Food, a certified
supplier to local outlets of American franchises like McDonald's,
Subway, and Arby's, and exporter of pasta products to the U.S., has
met numerous quality assurance standards and adheres to a variety of
American and international standards including International
Standards Organization (ISO) 2200 on food safety and hazard
analysis, European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS),and
CENTCOM requirements for products for U.S. forces in the region.
Nabil now wants to expand its line of export products to the U.S.
and at the same time play a leading role in improving local food
industry standards.
3. Jordan is a net food importing country that acquires most of its
food from abroad; 65 percent of meat products comes from outside
Jordan and the prices of imported meat are often half that of
locally produced items. In general, the food industry relies on
foreign sources for red meat in order to remain competitive and to
bypass the poor handling procedures common to slaughter houses run
by the municipalities. In using imported American meat for its
products, Nabil proposes adopting U.S. standards, and JFDA has
offered to inspect and certify that the factory is being operated in
accordance with local, international, and U.S. standards.
4. In February 2005, a committee from the Food Safety Inspection
Service (FSIS) of the Department of Agriculture conducted a field
inspection tour of many Jordanian food facilities and submitted a
Report of an Initial Equivalence Assessment, detailing the necessary
improvements and upgrades required in order for Jordan to export
meat products to the U.S. There has been little official progress
to date. Despite the lack of improvements made by the various
government entities responsible for enforcing safety requirements
and meatpacking regulations, the private sector has forged ahead and
is now equipped with cutting-edge technology and follows
international food processing practices.
5. ACTION REQUEST FOR USDA: Please provide guidance on how to
respond to the dipnote and outline the steps that would need to be
taken in order for a single company like Nabil to receive
certification to export meat products to the U.S.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
HALE