Mexico
has now been determined to be free of classical swine fever (CSF), a move which
follows a global acknowledgement in 2015 and a proposal by the U.S. make the
same decision and came after no opposition from the U.S. pork industry.
In
August 2016, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed
declaring Mexico free of CSF and a notice published in the Federal Register
today (January 16) finalizes that situation.
USDA in
mid-2014, had proposed to recognize all Mexican states other than nine that
previously were CSF free and the state of Chiapas as a low-risk CSF region –
APHIS did not recognize Chiapas as being CSF free.
However,
in February 2015, Mexico received notice from the World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) that Mexico was now recognized as being CSF free. Mexico
subsequently requested the U.S. halt its rule-making process and instead
continue to evaluate Mexico as being CSF free. APHIS agreed to reevaluate its
findings, incorporating those from a 2015 APHIS site visit report, along with
updated surveillance data and other information submitted by Mexico.
After
that evaluation, APHIS determined "CSF is not present in Mexico and that
live swine, pork, and pork products may safely be imported into the United
States from Mexico" provided they meet conditions spelled out in U.S.
regulations.