US Denies EU Animal, Meat Imports

March 14, 2001

USDA is prohibiting temporarily imports of animals and animal products from the European Union. The action follows a similar action Feb. 21 involving the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The imports are being banned because of the confirmation of food and mouth disease in France.

Actions USDA has taken to hold foot and mouth disease (F&MD) at bay include:

–Banning the imports on ruminants and ruminant products from the EU to prevent the introduction of BSE into the United States:

–Prohibiting travelers from carrying into the United States any agricultural products, particularly animal products, that could spread the diseases; passengers are required to identify any farm contact to U.S. Customs and USDA, and all baggage is subject to inspection with violations carrying penalties up to $1,000;

–Sending 40 federal state and university experts to the EU to monitor, evaluate and assist in containment efforts;

–Heightened alert at ports of entry and airports to ensure passengers, luggage and cargo are checked appropriately including placing additional inspectors and dog teams at airports to check incoming flights and passengers;

–Heightened alert and coordination with state agriculture officials and other USDA officials stationed around the world to monitor the situation; and

–A public education campaign that includes additional signs in airports, public service announcements, information hotline, web site and other tools to inform the public about the issue and steps they can take to prevent it from entering the United States.

National Pork Producers Council President Barbara Determan, a pork producer from Early, IA, said the organization supports USDA's temporary ban. It's an "unfortunate but prudent step given the evidence that foot and mouth disease has been confirmed on the European continent."

She continued, "U.S. pork producers deeply sympathize with their European counterparts and hope that this financially devastating, and highly contagious livestock disease can be contained quickly."

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) said it was the "right step ... we just don't know how far this diseae has spread. It's common sense to take protective measures. If foot and mouth disease were to return to America the results would be absolutely devastating."