Meat and Poultry Importers and Exporters Education and Training

Learn the ins and outs for meat and poultry importers and exporters
By Tara McClendon, Freelance Writer/Editor, Tara McClendon Chicken exporters and importers and meat exporters and importers need to have the education and training to work in a global field. Not only do they need meat and poultry importers and exporters education and training to understand the industry, they also need education and training in upholding the laws and regulations that oversee the industry.

Once you get your initial training in the industry, you'll need to determine how to best stay up to date on the latest information affecting it. Some of your education opportunities include the following options:

1. Find associations and other organizations that provide the latest information for meat and poultry importers and exporters.

2. Understand the laws and regulations that oversee US meat export and import.

3. Obtain education for importing and exporting to understand the logistics of the field.

Utilize events and educational information provided for meat importers and exporters

In some cases, events and information will target beef export. At other times, they may incorporate the poultry industry as well. Depending on the type of business you work in, you may need both fields.
Try:  The Meat Importers Council of America (Micausa) hosts an annual conference in conjunction with the Worldwide Food Expo. Members get access to both events and can also find out the latest information for meat and poultry importers and exporters. The US Meat Export Foundation offers an International Meat Manual in downloadable chapters.  

Learn the laws and regulations for export meat packers and poultry importers

Beef export and import, as well as poultry export and import, require compliance with laws and regulations, which change on frequent basis. Just because you learned the laws in school doesn't mean you'll still be in compliance if you fail to continue your education and training.
Try:  Find out import and export information like the regulations and policies for US vendors at the website for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the import and export of animal products. It maintains a list of export and import regulations and updates the list based on disease outbreaks in other regions of the world.

Take classes as a foundation for meat and poultry importers and exporters education and training

Importing and exporting involves rules and regulations not only from the US but from the countries you plan to work with. Basic classes on importing and exporting help you learn the foundation for your business before you start specializing in the areas specific to animal products.
Try:  The International Import-Export Institute provides a basic introduction to importing and covers topics like laws and regulations, terms of sale and negotiations. The Export Institute provides training classes for exporting. It offers a Certificate of Export Management upon completion of the course.