Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s revised federal order regarding transportation of swine products from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the mainland United States:
“As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am happy to announce that effective today certain swine products and byproducts are now permitted for interstate travel from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the mainland United States.
“On Sept. 16, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a federal order suspending the interstate movement of all live swine, swine germplasm, swine products and swine byproducts from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the mainland United States following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
“While African Swine Fever has not been detected in the U.S.V.I. or P.R., this action was taken by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service out of an abundance of caution to safeguard the swine industry and prevent the possible introduction and spread of ASF.
“The revised federal order issued today allows for processed swine products and byproducts to move from P.R. and the U.S.V.I. to the mainland United States as cargo if commercially cooked, hermetically sealed and shelf-stable without refrigeration. This revision also allows travelers to bring certain processed swine products and byproducts in passenger baggage. Swine hunting trophies from the U.S.V.I. and P.R. will be allowed to enter the mainland United States if they are fully taxidermy finished and require no further processing or treatment.
“I am pleased by this timely decision to allow the interstate movement of swine products from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. With the holiday season upon us, it will help consumers and producers of food to be able to move pork commodities in commerce and travel throughout the rest of the country.”
