USDA to Allow Imports of Uncooked Pork and Pork Products Processed in Regions with CSF

April 8, 2008 — 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of uncooked pork and pork products processed in regions where classical swine fever (CSF) exist. APHIS is taking this action primarily to allow uncooked pork and pork products that originate in the United States to be processed in Mexico and then returned to the United States.

Under this rule, in order to be eligible for importation into the United States, all uncooked pork and pork products processed in regions where CSF is considered to exist must originate from regions free of CSF. Uncooked pork and pork products that originate from CSF-affected regions cannot be shipped into the United States.

To prevent contamination, processing facilities cannot receive any live swine or any pork or pork products from CSF-affected regions and these facilities must be evaluated and approved by APHIS. All shipments to and from CSF-affected regions must be accompanied by a detailed certificate and sent in sealed, serially numbered containers. These and other measures are designed to safeguard U.S. agriculture from CSF.

CSF, also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious viral disease of swine. The most common method of transmission is direct contact between healthy swine and those infected with CSF. CSF was eradicated from the United States in 1978 after a 16-year effort by the industry and state and federal governments. CSF does not affect human health.

Notice of this final rule scheduled for publication in the April 2 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication.

[Ed. Note: These amendments were initially proposed by USDA in January 2007. At that time, the AASV, the National Pork Board and others submitted comments expressing concern with the proposed changes. The concerns ranged from questions associated with monitoring of facilities, processes and final products to requests for a thorough assessment to quantify the risks and benefits to the swine industry. These comments are acknowledged in the final rule but no alterations were made to the proposed amendments to address the concerns expressed.]

Source:
USDA News Release, April 2, 2008