Federal Agents Prevent Smuggled Animal Products from Entering the U.S.

Beagles assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists in sniffing out prohibited products at U.S. borders.
Beagles assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists in sniffing out prohibited products at U.S. borders.
(U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

From hot dogs to pork intestines, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists issued 246 emergency action notifications during the second quarter of 2021. 

Emergency Action Notifications (EAN) alert trade entities of non-compliance with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations. The EAN provides options for actions that must be taken to prevent the entry of plant pests, prohibited plant products, or animal products capable of introducing foreign animal diseases. 

CBP Intercepts Smuggled Animal Products
During the inspection of rail containers in International Falls, Minn., ag specialists intercepted more than 18,500 pounds of smuggled animal products, according to CBP. 

“The animal products were seized because they were not manifested and lacked the required import permits and health certificates. A few of the products seized included seeds for planting accompanied by soil, balut eggs, and hotdogs,” CBP said in a release.

Ag specialists in Portal, N.D., found Camaenidae, a land snail, within a shipment of excavator parts from China. This snail is a pest to numerous crops and vegetation. The container and contents were returned to China.

Meanwhile in Pembina, specialists discovered a shipment of prohibited pork products from British Columbia. The product is referred to as “Fried Isaw” and is usually found in Asian food markets. This product was made from the large intestine of pigs. The shipment did not have the required health certificates to enter the U.S., CBP reports.

“These agriculture seizures show the significant priority Customs and Border Protection places on our agriculture inspection program at our ports of entry,” Acting Pembina Area Port Director Christopher Mission said in a release. “Preventing harm to domestic crops and vegetation is an important role our Agriculture Specialists provide this country.”

More from Farm Journal's PORK:

K-9 "Kody" Sniffs Out Prohibited Sausages at Newark Airport

China's African Swine Fever Control Situation Remains Complicated

USDA Adds Blood Swabs and Spots as Official ASF Testing Tissues

 

 

 

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