USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a revised Federal Order to allow certain swine products to safely move to the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as long as they meet certain conditions. Movements of live swine and swine germplasm continue to be suspended, APHIS noted in a release.
On Sept. 16, APHIS issued a Federal Order suspending the interstate movement of all live swine, swine germplasm, swine products and swine byproducts from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland U.S. until sufficient mitigations could be established to authorize such movement. Although African swine fever (ASF) has not been detected in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, APHIS took action out of an abundance of caution to further safeguard the U.S. swine herd and protect the interests and livelihoods of U.S. pork producers from ASF.
The revised Federal Order outlines mitigations that will allow certain products to move to the mainland U.S, while continuing to provide the necessary protections to prevent ASF from getting into the country. The revised Federal Order allows for processed swine products and byproducts to move from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as cargo as long as they are commercially cooked, hermetically sealed and are shelf-stable without refrigeration. These products must be accompanied by a transport permit and/or supporting documentation confirming the products were treated according to APHIS requirements.
It also allows travelers to bring certain processed swine products and byproducts in passenger baggage. These products must be shelf stable, packed in hermetically sealed containers and cooked by a commercial method. Unprocessed swine products and byproducts in passenger baggage will not be allowed to enter any other states or territories, APHIS said.
Swine hunting trophies from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be allowed to enter the mainland U.S. if they are fully taxidermy finished, meaning they require no further processing or treatment.
“This action is being taken as part of APHIS’ continuing efforts to respond to the detection of African Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and to prevent its introduction into the Conterminous United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. APHIS is confident that its many existing preventive measures and mitigations, along with the protection zone, will protect our livestock industry from ASF and ensure the continued export of U.S. pork,” APHIS said in a release.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
ASF Vaccines: Is the Waiting Game Almost Over?
Close All the Windows to Keep ASF Out
ASF in the Western Hemisphere: What’s Different 40 Years Later?
It’s Time to Batten Down the Hatches, Pork Industry Experts Say
Learn more about what the industry is doing to prevent ASF from entering the country.
