The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confiscated nearly a ton of prohibited pork and poultry products from China found among New York City-area retailers.
In the period from October to December 2021, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) program destroyed more than 1,900 pounds of prohibited animal products from New York City-area retailers. APHIS is a division of the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
APHIS says that tips from the public contribute to its efforts "in safeguarding American agriculture." "If you are aware of the potential smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into or throughout the United States, please contact the confidential Anti-Smuggling Hotline at (301) 734-8534 or email tips to SITC.Mail@usda.gov," the agency said in a press release. "USDA will make every attempt to protect the confidentiality of any information sources during an investigation within the extent of the law.”
The products were from China, and they lacked required permits and health certificates, thus risking the introduction of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases into the United States.
These products are dangerous because China is affected by African swine fever, Classical swine fever, Newcastle disease, Foot-and-mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and swine vesicular disease.
The USDA says actions such as these in New York represent "a continued collaboration between APHIS, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and local New York City officials."
