USDA ISSUES IMPORT ALERTS RELATING TO NEW WORLD SCREWWORM
December 11, 2024
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) issued an import notice restricting the importation of animal commodities from Guatemala due to New World screwworm (“NWS”) concerns. Screwworms, also known as blowflies, are the larvae of a parasitic fly which burrows into the flesh of warm-blooded animals. The larvae can kill livestock and wildlife and can also infest humans. While APHIS prohibited the importation of live ruminants, swine, and their germplasm from Guatemala, it will permit the importation of dogs and horses from Guatemala if the animals satisfy certain import requirements. If transporting dogs imported from a country listed on APHIS’ list of regions affected by screwworms, a carrier must confirm that all dogs traveling from the affected region to the U.S. are accompanied by a certificate signed by a full-time veterinary official stating that the dog has been inspected for screwworm within the past 5 days. The certificate must state that the dog is free from screwworm or if the dog was infested with screwworm, that it was held in quarantine and treated until free from screwworm.
APHIS issued another alert on November 25, 2024, given that NWS is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic with cases spreading to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and most recently Mexico. While NWS was eradicated in the United States in 1966, USDA wants to prevent any such re-introduction, especially after Mexico’s Chief Veterinary Officer recently confirmed that NWS was found in a cow in southern Mexico. Until Mexican veterinary authorities determine the size and scope of the infestation, APHIS announced on November 22, 2024, that it will restrict the importation of animal commodities originating from or transiting Mexico effective immediately. When transporting animal species from regions affected by NWS, carriers should check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and/or APHIS to comply with specific import requirements when applicable. Carriers can find a complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by NWS on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.
This Aviation Blog is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202-659-6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Jay Julien at 202.659.6648 or jjulien@eckertseamans.com, or Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or tmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
