Source: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Reversing action put in place a week ago, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has agreed to lift restrictions on imports of some fresh and frozen pork from Poland.

On Oct. 18, APHIS announced it was suspending entry of all imports of fresh and frozen pork from Poland while it completed a review of that country’s export protocols, due to potential risk from African swine fever. After an expeditious review of export protocols, APHIS has notified Poland that restrictions are being lifted on all establishments located in the contiguous free zones. Restrictions will be retained on raw product and heat-treated, but not fully cooked, product from two establishments while a more thorough review is completed.

There is minimal animal health risk posed by any pork products imported recently into the United States from Poland. There is no human health risk, as humans are not susceptible to ASF.

USDA continues to work to ensure consistency with the stringent, longstanding safeguards in place that protect U.S. animal health from ASF. USDA uses a strong series of interlocking protections against the entry of animal diseases like ASF, including restricting the entry of pork and pork products from ASF-affected countries or regions.

USDA is also working with Customs and Border Protection staff to enhance screening of passenger baggage coming from Poland or any ASF-affected country to ensure restricted products are not brought into the United States.

ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral (wild) pigs in all age groups. It is spread by contact with the body fluids of infected animals. It can also be spread by ticks that feed on infected animals.