delisting of france from countries authorized to export certain meat and meat products to the united states the european communities stated that on 24 february 2004 the united states suspended frances eligibility to export meat and meat products to the united states. the hasty nature of the decision meant that france did not have the opportunity to respond to questions raised during an earlier inspection. furthermore this decision was more trade-restrictive than required to protect the safety of consumers. the united stated explained that this action was based on process control and sanitation deficiencies identified over a multi-period in establishments certified by france as meeting us sanitary requirements. based on information from french authorities that corrective action had been taken to address concerns raised in previous inspections us officials scheduled the audit of january-february 2004 and clarified in advance the risk of suspension for non-performance. the second audit identified the same deficiencies. french authorities had agreed to submit a new corrective action plan to the usda. the training of french inspection personnel in the implementation of pathogen reduction and hazard analysis and critical control point haccp systems was key to addressing the deficiencies identified in this audit. in june 2004 the european communities reported the lack of progress made on this issue. french veterinary services and eleven establishments authorized to export meat products to the united states were audited by the usda early in 2004. although six of these establishments had not had any major infractions the us suspension in february 2004 applied to all eleven establishments. the french authorities had forwarded a detailed plan of action to the us. the offer by the united states to train french veterinary inspectors was appreciated however some of the restrictions were disproportionate and discriminatory. the united states was requested to lift the prohibition on the six establishments with no infractions. the united states responded that united states and french inspection officials had discussed the audit findings and follow-u actions and france acknowledged the deficiencies and agreed to submit a new action plan to the usda. the usda would complete its review shortly and communicate findings to the french authorities. the usda had identified experts in the european union and could provide training of french inspection personnel in the implementation of haccp system. a technical seminar would be held in september 2004 for senior foreign meat inspection officials on the verification and enforcement of pathogen reduction haccp requirements in meat export establishments. france had indicated that it would send two senior officials to this seminar. the united states emphasized its commitment to work with france to reinstate their eligibility to export meat and meat exports to the united states. in october 2004 the european communities reported that the usda had carried out inspections in france and concluded that the french regulatory system met us requirements and was eligible to export meat-based products to the united states. the united states reported that a follow-u audit of the headquarters of the french inspection service three local offices and four establishments was conducted in september and october. the audit concluded that french establishments met the us requirements and the suspension on french meat-based products was lifted on 15 october 2004.