CBP Newark Kicks Off New Year Seizing Prohibited Bush Meat

NEWARK, N.J. - U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at Newark Liberty International Airport seized nearly 9 lbs. of meat from a passenger arriving on a flight from Ghana.

The passenger, an United States citizen, declared the meat to CBP agriculture specialist. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) identified the meat as bush meat and advised CBP to seize and dispose of the meat in accordance with CDC guidelines.

'CBP Agriculture Specialists made critical interceptions of these prohibited animal products and stopped them from entering the United States before they could potentially cause grave damage to our agricultural and economic vitality,' said Troy Miller, Director, Field Operations, New York Field Office.

Animal disease outbreaks are a threat to the United States that can adversely affect public health, cause global trade halts, and destabilize the economy and our nation's food supply.

According to CDC, bushmeat is meat derived from non-human primates, bats, civets, or African rodents, which are potential vectors of human diseases.

Learn more about how CBP Agriculture Specialists protect the United States from dangerous pests and disease that could affect the county's economic vitality.

-CBP-

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.