The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a revised Federal Order to allow certain swine products to safely move to the mainland United States 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. [Source: USDA 2 December 2021]
On September 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 United States until sufficient mitigations could be established to authorize such movement. African swine fever (ASF) has not been detected in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Instead, APHIS took this 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, effective immediately, outlines mitigations that will allow certain products to move to the mainland United States, while continuing to provide the necessary protections against ASF.
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.
The revised Federal Order 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.
Swine hunting trophies from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be allowed to enter the mainland United States 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.