During the last quarter of 2021 APHIS seized and destroyed approximately one ton of prohibited and ilegally imported pork, poultry and ruminant products from New York City retailers. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agricultural specialists recently confiscated 300 pounds of bologna at the Pas del Norte border crossing. The CBP issued 1,050 Emergency Action Notifications for prohibited animal products that were seized at the Port of Los Angeles in 2021.
The risk and consequense of introducing animal diseases of significance including African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Exotic Newcastle disease, Foot and Mouth disease, and Swine Vesicular disease justify more intensive surveillance. As with drugs, the quantity seized is often a fraction of the total quantity smuggled. Since many of the shipments, especially those from China are hidden in containers with manifest documents describing the contents as consumer products, additional manpower and the Beagle Brigade should be reinforced.
With respect to small retail establishments selling embargoed animal products, federal agents should be deployed in greater numbers and fines should be commensurate with the potential damage that could be caused to the livestock industry and ultimately to consumers.
Given the consequences of introducing an exotic infection, importation or retailing of illegal meat products should not simply result in confiscation and a slap on the wrist. Punitive fines and jail time should be imposed to discourage illegal importation. Ethnic consumers must conform to the norms of American society and relinquish their taste for exotic meats and traditional presentations of pork, beef, and poultry.