U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists (CBPAS) reported this week that it issued 246 emergency action notifications during the second quarter of 2021. Emergency Action Notifications (EAN) alert trade entities of non-compliance with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations. The EAN provides options for phytosanitary actions that must be taken to prevent the entry of plant pests, prohibited plant products, or animal products capable of introducing foreign animal diseases.

During the inspection of rail containers in International Falls, Minnesota, CBPAS intercepted more than 18,500 pounds of smuggled animal products. The animal products were seized because they were not manifested and lacked the required import permits and health certificates. A few of the products seized included seeds for planting accompanied by soil, balut eggs, and hot dogs.

CBPAS in Portal, North Dakota, found Camaenidae, a land snail, within a shipment of excavator parts from China. According to APHIS, the snail is a pest to numerous crops and vegetation. The container and contents were returned to China.

CBPAS in Pembina discovered a shipment of prohibited pork products from British Columbia. The product is referred to as “Fried Isaw” and is usually found in Asian food markets.  The shipment did not have the required health certificates to enter the United States.

“These agriculture seizures show the significant priority Customs and Border Protection places on our agriculture inspection program at our ports of entry,” said Acting Pembina Area Port Director Christopher Misson. “Preventing harm to domestic crops and vegetation is an important role our Agriculture Specialists provide this country.”

CBP agriculture specialists are the front line in the fight against the introduction of harmful insects and diseases into the U.S. They safeguard American agriculture by stopping plant pests and exotic foreign animal diseases that could harm vital agriculture resources at our nation’s borders.

During a typical day last year, CBP agriculture specialists across the nation seized 3,091 prohibited plant, meat, animal byproducts, and soil, and intercepted 250 insect pests at U.S. ports of entry.