In a constituent update this week, the FDA has advised that the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) will not be ready for 2019 as planned. VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides expedited review and import entry of human and animal foods into the United States for participating importers. To participate, importers are required to meet certain eligibility requirements, which include ensuring that the facilities of their foreign supplier are certified under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program. The application period closed May 31st and will not be open again until January of 2019.