The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that companies exporting dairy products to Indonesia are now required to complete and submit a manufacturing plant questionnaire. Although some U.S. companies received requests from Indonesian partners to complete the questionnaire in the past, it wasn't viewed by FAS as mandatory until now.

This action stems from Indonesia's efforts to implement its Livestock and Animal Health Law 18 of 2009. The law requires all companies exporting products derived from animals, including dairy products, to provide information regarding plant equipment and maintenance, food safety programs, employee health and other areas. The government will not issue permits to Indonesia importers whose business partners have not completed the questionnaire.

"FAS encourages all exporters to fill out the plant questionnaire immediately," said John Kelly, IDFA manager of international affairs. "Please include as much information as possible, but FAS is advising that certain sections asking for proprietary information that exporters do not want to disclose can be left blank."

Indonesia is an important and quickly growing market for U.S. dairy products. The country last year imported more than $162 million worth of dairy products from American manufacturers, making it the sixth largest export market for dairy. The top products in demand are nonfat dry milk, whey, cheese and curd.

Members may email completed questionnaires to the FAS office in Jakarta, Indonesia, at agjakarta@fas.usda.gov. FAS will forward them to Indonesian government officials with a cover letter from the U.S. Embassy, which will serve as a government signature in place of the verification signature required on the final page of the questionnaire.

Members with questions may contact Kelly at jkelly@idfa.org or (202) 220-3507.

The questionnaire is available here.