Influenza Update: Philippines Will Not Suspend U.S. Pork Imports
Influenza Update: Philippines, Honduras Lift U.S. Suspensions; More States Banned by China
As more H1N1 Influenza cases are confirmed across the United States, USMEF is working with U.S. and overseas trade officials to clarify the latest details on trade suspensions and market access. The most significant updates are the announcement by the Philippines that it is not suspending pork imports from the United States and the expansion of China's suspension to include more states. Honduras has also lifted a previously announced ban on U.S. pork.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 403 confirmed cases in 38 U.S. states. For a complete list of these states and further details, visit the CDC Web site.
USMEF is also working to gauge the trade impact of the detection of H1N1 influenza in a swine herd in Alberta, Canada. This is the first detection of the disease in swine, and there is no indication of the disease being present in the U.S. swine herd. The World Health Organization published the following guidance with regard to this issue:
Canada on 2 May reported the identification of the A(H1N1) virus in a swine herd in Alberta. It is highly probable that the pigs were exposed to the virus from a Canadian farm worker, recently returned from Mexico, who had exhibited flu-like symptoms and had contact with pigs. There is no indication of virus adaptation through transfer from human to pigs at this time.
USDA also issued a statement indicating no change in the status of swine or pork trade between the United States and Canada. Some trade restrictions by other trading partners, however, are anticipated.
Market Updates:
The Philippines initially announced its intention to suspend pork imports from all of North America, but has now announced that only imports from Canada will be suspended. Honduras has also lifted its suspension of U.S. pork imports.
Russia has added South Carolina to its suspension list for pork, poultry and beef, effective May 2. Russia has also announced its intention to prohibit live hog and pork imports from the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario, but has not listed Alberta among these trade restrictions.
At the present time, the official Trade Library guidance for ineligible products for Russia reads as follows:
Fresh/frozen poultry meat, pork and beef from animals raised or slaughtered in the States of Texas, California, and New York on or after April 21, 2009, is ineligible. Heat-treated (not less than 80° Celsius for not less than 30 minutes) meat and poultry products from these states is eligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through any of the restricted states.
Fresh/frozen pork and pork products from swine raised or slaughtered on or after April 25, 2009, in the States of Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio is ineligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through any of the restricted states.
Fresh/frozen poultry meat, pork and beef from animals raised or slaughtered in the State of South Carolina on or after May 2, 2009, is ineligible. Heat-treated (not less than 80° Celsius for not less than 30 minutes) meat and poultry products from South Carolina is eligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through South Carolina.
USMEF is working with FSIS to clarify product eligibility for Russia and keep the trade suspension information as up-to-date as possible. This week’s updates may be slow to confirm, however, due to holiday closures in Russia. In the meantime, exporters are advised to proceed with extreme caution when shipping any product to Russia regardless of its state of origin.
The same caution applies to China, where the trade suspension is limited to uncooked pork and pork products, and applies only to states with confirmed H1N1 cases. However, China has decreed that newly confirmed cases automatically move states to its suspension list and China currently prohibits transshipments through any of these states. This has already created major trade obstacles with regard to shipments routed throughCalifornia, and these problems will intensify as more states are added to the confirmed-case list. Therefore, extreme caution is advised prior to shipping any pork products to China. It is important to note, however, that Hong Kong is not included in any portion of China’s suspension.
The latest Trade Library guidance with regard to products ineligible for China reads as follows:
Fresh/frozen and heat-treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texason or after April 27, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina on or after April 30, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey and Virginia on or after May 1, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin on or after May 3, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container, or railcar is sealed
Please note that we still anticipate Trade Library updates that will add states to the suspension list, based on any further confirmation of influenza cases by CDC. Two states - Georgia and Maine - have been added to the CDC list but do no yet appear on the suspension list for China.
Other suspensions:
In addition to Russia and China, the following countries have officially imposed full or partial bans on U.S. pork imports:
Croatia, effective April 29:
Suspended imports of pork and pork products, but does not include cooked, canned or hermetically sealed products.
Ecuador, effective April 28:
Suspended pork and pork products regardless of slaughter date.
Indonesia, effective April 27:
Suspended imports of all pork and swine from outside its borders.
Kazakhstan, effective date April 28:
Suspended pork imports fromTexas, California and Kansas, but is expected to extend this ban to other affected states as well.
Kyrgyzstan, effective April 30:
Suspended all U.S. meat and poultry.
Serbia, currently effective:
U.S. pork and pork products are already listed as ineligible for export to Serbia due to a lack of certification requirements. So while no recent update has been made in these specifications, Serbia is being added to the official suspension list.
St. Lucia, effective date April 27:
Suspended import of fresh and frozen pork, live pigs and swine semen.
Thailand, effective April 27:
Suspension covers all U.S. states and Mexico, and covers all uncooked pork products including meat (fresh, chilled, and frozen), offals, live animal, semen, embryos, and hides and skins. However, the ban does not cover processed pork products such as canned foods or food in sealed containers. Product already on the water should not be affected, but any product shipped after April 27 will not be allowed entry.
Ukraine, effective date April 21:
Suspended import of pork, live pigs and products from the entire United States.
Other products of animal origin can be imported under existing regulations if these are accompanied by valid health certificates.
United Arab Emirates, effective April 27:
Suspended pork from several countries, including the United States. It remains unclear whether transshipments will be allowed.
Uzbekistan, effective April 28:
Suspended live swine and pork from the entire United States.
USMEF is also compiling a “watch list” of countries that have been reported as ready to impose full or partial suspensions, but for which trade has not been officially suspended. It includes the following:
Albania: some importers have refused pork shipments in anticipation of a ban.
Azerbaijan: U.S. pork and pork products, possibly all meat products.
Bahrain: pork from the United States.
Brunei: pork from all countries with confirmed influenza cases.
Colombia: pork from the United States.
Dominican Republic: an announcement was made that pork and live pigs from the United States had been suspended, but that status is now unclear. USMEF is seeking further updates on this market.
El Salvador: pork and live pigs from the United States and Mexico.
Ghana: pork and pork products from the United States and Mexico.
India, Northeast Region: several states in the northeastern section of India announced plans to ban pork imports from countries with confirmed influenza cases.
Jordan: all meat from the United States and Mexico.
Kurdistan Region, Iraq: import of U.S. pork.
Lebanon: all pork and live pigs from outside its borders.
Malaysia: pork from several countries, including the United States.
Nicaragua: pork and live pigs from the United States.
Syria: pork and pork products from the United States.
The following countries have not imposed trade restrictions and are not expected to do so, but may have appeared in news reports regarding import bans:
Bolivia: no suspension of U.S. products, despite previously announced intentions.
Costa Rica: increased monitoring of pork imports, but no suspension of U.S. products.
Guatemala: no suspension of U.S. products, despite previously announced intentions.
Honduras: lifted its suspension of U.S. pork imports.
Philippines: contrary to previous announcements, no suspension of U.S. products.
South Korea: Korea has issued no trade suspensions for pork imports, but has increased screening and inspection of pork from the United States and Mexico. South Koreahas only suspended imports of live swine from North America.
Additional note with regard to Mexico:
Despite closure of most government and business offices until May 6, OISA and customs inspectors will continue to work the following hours:
May 5: 0800-1900 hours (normal work hours)
Members seeking further updates or having specific trade questions may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328 or visit www.usmef.org.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
Influenza Update: Philippines, Honduras Lift U.S. Suspensions; More States Banned by China
As more H1N1 Influenza cases are confirmed across the United States, USMEF is working with U.S. and overseas trade officials to clarify the latest details on trade suspensions and market access. The most significant updates are the announcement by the Philippines that it is not suspending pork imports from the United States and the expansion of China's suspension to include more states. Honduras has also lifted a previously announced ban on U.S. pork.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 403 confirmed cases in 38 U.S. states. For a complete list of these states and further details, visit the CDC Web site.
USMEF is also working to gauge the trade impact of the detection of H1N1 influenza in a swine herd in Alberta, Canada. This is the first detection of the disease in swine, and there is no indication of the disease being present in the U.S. swine herd. The World Health Organization published the following guidance with regard to this issue:
Canada on 2 May reported the identification of the A(H1N1) virus in a swine herd in Alberta. It is highly probable that the pigs were exposed to the virus from a Canadian farm worker, recently returned from Mexico, who had exhibited flu-like symptoms and had contact with pigs. There is no indication of virus adaptation through transfer from human to pigs at this time.
USDA also issued a statement indicating no change in the status of swine or pork trade between the United States and Canada. Some trade restrictions by other trading partners, however, are anticipated.
Market Updates:
The Philippines initially announced its intention to suspend pork imports from all of North America, but has now announced that only imports from Canada will be suspended. Honduras has also lifted its suspension of U.S. pork imports.
Russia has added South Carolina to its suspension list for pork, poultry and beef, effective May 2. Russia has also announced its intention to prohibit live hog and pork imports from the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario, but has not listed Alberta among these trade restrictions.
At the present time, the official Trade Library guidance for ineligible products for Russia reads as follows:
Fresh/frozen poultry meat, pork and beef from animals raised or slaughtered in the States of Texas, California, and New York on or after April 21, 2009, is ineligible. Heat-treated (not less than 80° Celsius for not less than 30 minutes) meat and poultry products from these states is eligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through any of the restricted states.
Fresh/frozen pork and pork products from swine raised or slaughtered on or after April 25, 2009, in the States of Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio is ineligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through any of the restricted states.
Fresh/frozen poultry meat, pork and beef from animals raised or slaughtered in the State of South Carolina on or after May 2, 2009, is ineligible. Heat-treated (not less than 80° Celsius for not less than 30 minutes) meat and poultry products from South Carolina is eligible. Product from other states may continue to transit through South Carolina.
USMEF is working with FSIS to clarify product eligibility for Russia and keep the trade suspension information as up-to-date as possible. This week’s updates may be slow to confirm, however, due to holiday closures in Russia. In the meantime, exporters are advised to proceed with extreme caution when shipping any product to Russia regardless of its state of origin.
The same caution applies to China, where the trade suspension is limited to uncooked pork and pork products, and applies only to states with confirmed H1N1 cases. However, China has decreed that newly confirmed cases automatically move states to its suspension list and China currently prohibits transshipments through any of these states. This has already created major trade obstacles with regard to shipments routed throughCalifornia, and these problems will intensify as more states are added to the confirmed-case list. Therefore, extreme caution is advised prior to shipping any pork products to China. It is important to note, however, that Hong Kong is not included in any portion of China’s suspension.
The latest Trade Library guidance with regard to products ineligible for China reads as follows:
Fresh/frozen and heat-treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texason or after April 27, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina on or after April 30, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey and Virginia on or after May 1, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container or railcar is sealed.
Fresh/frozen and heat treated pork and pork products derived from swine raised or slaughtered in the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin on or after May 3, 2009, are ineligible. Pork and pork products may not transit these restricted states even if the truck, container, or railcar is sealed
Please note that we still anticipate Trade Library updates that will add states to the suspension list, based on any further confirmation of influenza cases by CDC. Two states - Georgia and Maine - have been added to the CDC list but do no yet appear on the suspension list for China.
Other suspensions:
In addition to Russia and China, the following countries have officially imposed full or partial bans on U.S. pork imports:
Croatia, effective April 29:
Suspended imports of pork and pork products, but does not include cooked, canned or hermetically sealed products.
Ecuador, effective April 28:
Suspended pork and pork products regardless of slaughter date.
Indonesia, effective April 27:
Suspended imports of all pork and swine from outside its borders.
Kazakhstan, effective date April 28:
Suspended pork imports fromTexas, California and Kansas, but is expected to extend this ban to other affected states as well.
Kyrgyzstan, effective April 30:
Suspended all U.S. meat and poultry.
Serbia, currently effective:
U.S. pork and pork products are already listed as ineligible for export to Serbia due to a lack of certification requirements. So while no recent update has been made in these specifications, Serbia is being added to the official suspension list.
St. Lucia, effective date April 27:
Suspended import of fresh and frozen pork, live pigs and swine semen.
Thailand, effective April 27:
Suspension covers all U.S. states and Mexico, and covers all uncooked pork products including meat (fresh, chilled, and frozen), offals, live animal, semen, embryos, and hides and skins. However, the ban does not cover processed pork products such as canned foods or food in sealed containers. Product already on the water should not be affected, but any product shipped after April 27 will not be allowed entry.
Ukraine, effective date April 21:
Suspended import of pork, live pigs and products from the entire United States.
Other products of animal origin can be imported under existing regulations if these are accompanied by valid health certificates.
United Arab Emirates, effective April 27:
Suspended pork from several countries, including the United States. It remains unclear whether transshipments will be allowed.
Uzbekistan, effective April 28:
Suspended live swine and pork from the entire United States.
USMEF is also compiling a “watch list” of countries that have been reported as ready to impose full or partial suspensions, but for which trade has not been officially suspended. It includes the following:
Albania: some importers have refused pork shipments in anticipation of a ban.
Azerbaijan: U.S. pork and pork products, possibly all meat products.
Bahrain: pork from the United States.
Brunei: pork from all countries with confirmed influenza cases.
Colombia: pork from the United States.
Dominican Republic: an announcement was made that pork and live pigs from the United States had been suspended, but that status is now unclear. USMEF is seeking further updates on this market.
El Salvador: pork and live pigs from the United States and Mexico.
Ghana: pork and pork products from the United States and Mexico.
India, Northeast Region: several states in the northeastern section of India announced plans to ban pork imports from countries with confirmed influenza cases.
Jordan: all meat from the United States and Mexico.
Kurdistan Region, Iraq: import of U.S. pork.
Lebanon: all pork and live pigs from outside its borders.
Malaysia: pork from several countries, including the United States.
Nicaragua: pork and live pigs from the United States.
Syria: pork and pork products from the United States.
The following countries have not imposed trade restrictions and are not expected to do so, but may have appeared in news reports regarding import bans:
Bolivia: no suspension of U.S. products, despite previously announced intentions.
Costa Rica: increased monitoring of pork imports, but no suspension of U.S. products.
Guatemala: no suspension of U.S. products, despite previously announced intentions.
Honduras: lifted its suspension of U.S. pork imports.
Philippines: contrary to previous announcements, no suspension of U.S. products.
South Korea: Korea has issued no trade suspensions for pork imports, but has increased screening and inspection of pork from the United States and Mexico. South Koreahas only suspended imports of live swine from North America.
Additional note with regard to Mexico:
Despite closure of most government and business offices until May 6, OISA and customs inspectors will continue to work the following hours:
May 5: 0800-1900 hours (normal work hours)
Members seeking further updates or having specific trade questions may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328 or visit www.usmef.org.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.