USDA Lifts Restrictions on Some Pork Imports from Poland

October 25, 2018 — 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has agreed to lift restrictions on imports of some fresh and frozen pork from Poland that were put in place October 18, 2018 due to potential risk from African Swine Fever (ASF). After an expeditious review of export protocols, APHIS has notified Poland that we are lifting restrictions on all establishments located in the contiguous free zones. We are retaining restrictions on raw product and heat treated, but not fully cooked, product from two establishments while we complete a more thorough review. [Source: USDA, VS Deputy Administrator, October 25, 2018]

Last week, APHIS announced it was suspending entry of all imports of fresh and frozen pork from Poland while it completed a review of that country's export protocols. There is minimal animal health risk posed by any pork products imported recently into the U.S. from Poland. There is no human health risk, as humans are not susceptible to ASF.

USDA continues to work to ensure consistency with the stringent, longstanding safeguards in place that protect U.S. animal health from ASF. USDA uses a strong series of interlocking protections against the entry of animal diseases like ASF, including restricting the entry of pork and pork products from ASF-affected countries or regions.

USDA is also working with Customs and Border Protection staff to enhance screening of passenger baggage coming from Poland or any ASF-affected country to ensure restricted products are not brought into the U.S.

ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral (wild) pigs in all age groups. It is spread by contact with the body fluids of infected animals. It can also be spread by ticks that feed on infected animals.