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Japan Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians has adopted a (Click here to view statement) that gives recommendations for use of antibiotics in the finishing phase and in the breeding herd. The statement relies on science when providing information to enable compliance with MRL specifications. The statement also recommends that if a product is not on the MRL Database it should not be used in the finisher or breeding herd.

The MRL Database is based on information provided by animal health-product companies. This Web site and the downloadable print version of the Database include a date stamp that shows today’s date and the date of the last Database update. The “Click here to view updates” link will show a list of the Database updates ordered by their date of completion. The MRL Database will be updated each time an animal health-product company provides new information. If a product is not listed, please contact the product manufacturer.


Information Updated December 1, 2007 Click here to view updates 

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Animal Health Companies  Click here to view updates

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Maximum residue limits for pork exported to Japan – The Facts

  • Japan represents a market for over $1 billion of U.S. pork or 45 percent of the value of U.S. pork exports. Japan is the largest market for U.S. pork, in volume and value. Japan purchases approximately 753 million pounds of U.S. pork muscle. One animal in violation of Japanese product specifications can sever this market for U.S. pork.
  • The new food safety standards will apply to all food products including pork, fresh and frozen, offal and processed meats.
  • The new Japanese standards are based on Codex Alimentarius, a series of international standards established by the Food and Agricultures Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to ensure food safety.
  • U.S. standards were developed by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure food safety.
  • Codex and U.S. residue standards may differ for certain products and residue testing protocols.
  • Compliance with U.S. product withdrawals will satisfy most, but not all, of the new MRLs set by Japan.

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Testing protocols for pork products exported to Japan
  • Specific testing protocols for veterinary drugs in pork and pork products will be clarified as information becomes available.
  • Japanese testing protocols for pork muscle require testing to be done at or near identifiable injection sites. Therefore, the use of injectable products represents more risk than the use of other animal health products used in the finishing stage.
  • Producers are encouraged to evaluate the use of animal health products, including injectables, in their finishers and review injection techniques.

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What the Pork Checkoff is doing

  • The Pork Checkoff has been working with pharmaceutical companies to determine what animal health products may require changes in their withdrawal periods to meet Japan MRLs.
  • The Pork Checkoff will continue to update this Web page with the latest information received from pharmaceutical companies.
  • Information provided by the individual pharmaceutical companies can be found by clicking the "More Info" link at the bottom of this page.

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What this means for you
  • Certain veterinary products will require longer withdrawal periods if your animals are being channeled into the Japanese pork export market.
  • Following veterinary drug manufacturers’ directions for correct use of animal health products is essential.

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What you need to do

Producers are advised to take the following steps to find out if they are affected by these new regulations:

  1. Contact your packer and find out if your product is being channeled into the Japanese export market and is affected by new MRLs.
  2. Search the list of animal health products and view those that are currently used in the finisher phase of your operation to see if changes in their withdrawal periods are needed if you are in the Japanese export market.
  3. Contact your herd veterinarian if you have questions about whether the animal health products listed in this site are used in your operation and are affected and require a change in usage.
  4. With the help your herd veterinarian, develop protocols for the use of animal health products. These protocols should include:
    1. A procedure to determine if animal treatment is necessary and when is the most effective time to treat an animal;
    2. A tool to determine the most appropriate products to use and the correct technique for treatment of pigs in the finisher stage of production.
Producers are also encouraged to review the material included in the Pork Quality Assurance™ (PQA) program and the Take Care – Use Antibiotics Responsibly ™ program. This material can be found using the search function of this Web site or by calling the Pork Checkoff service center at (800) 456-PORK.

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How to use this Web page
Animal health companies have provided the Pork Checkoff with information regarding their products, including U.S. and Japanese residue limits and withdrawal periods necessary for compliance.

If your product is being channeled to the Japanese export market, follow these steps to access this information:
To search the database, enter a product or a company in the appropriate line of the search function above. To see the whole databae, click on search without anything in the product or company line.

When you click on a company below you will access a document provided by that product’s manufacturer or the company you selected.

This information is provided by the Pork Checkoff as a service to producers and for informational purposes only. The information presented includes only that which has been made available by animal health companies.

Producers are advised to contact their veterinarian to make decisions about the use and choice of animal health products used in their production operation.

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Other Resources

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MRL Discussion Panel

An MRL Discussion Panel was assembled with industry leaders to create an open and honest conversation about what the Japanese MRLs mean to the industry and how all stakeholders can work together to ensure the guidelines are implemented. Click on the www.exportpork.com link to meet the panel and watch the video, or listen to the audio, of this discussion panel.

Go to MRL Discussion Panel Web site: www.exportpork.com

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