The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) are working closely with the USDA-AMS Dairy Grading Branch to update the “European Health Certification Program” which manages the reporting of farm-level compliance with European Union (EU) somatic cell count (SCC) and standard plate count requirements. USDEC and NMPF have put together the following DRAFT guidance for obtaining derogations to the EU SCC requirements once the initial derogations for an individual producer have expired. USDEC and NMPF held a conference call on May 29 with NMPF membership, and the following draft is reflective of their position of how the “European Health Certification program“ should be implemented. USDEC is seeking comments from members who actively participate in this program at the farm/producer level. Please submit any comments to Mitch Bowling at the email address below, no later than close of business Monday, June 1.

If you have any questions, please contact Matt McKnight (mmcknight@usdec.org) or Mitch Bowling (mbowling@usdec.org) at 703-528-3049.