Cruising the Caribbean? Keep Pork Products Off the Packing List

Many Americans travel to the Caribbean each year, and cruise activity in the region continues to grow. Expanding cruise routes, larger fleets and improved port infrastructure have made island-hopping or traveling from one island to another, increasingly accessible giving travelers more opportunities to visit multiple destinations by boat or ferry.

If you’re planning on visiting the Caribbean soon and intend to “island hop,” be sure to remember to leave the pork products behind.

Pork products such as pernil, morcilla, and pasteles can spread African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease that affects wild and domestic pigs. Although ASF isn't a threat to people or food safety, it can have devastating impacts on pig populations, farmers and local agriculture —estimates show an outbreak in the U.S. could cause over $74 billion in losses over 10 years to U.S. swine farmers and agriculture. Because the virus can survive in both cooked and uncooked pork products, travelers can unintentionally carry the virus from one place to another.

Before the "all aboard," keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t pack pork. Don't pack cooked or uncooked pork products, or items containing pork, when traveling between or into the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Check before you cross. Ferry routes may cross international borders, so be sure you are aware of and comply with local customs rules and restrictions.
• Throw food away. If you purchase food items during your voyage, discard any leftovers on the ship before you disembark.
• Declare before you dock.  Declare all food, animal and agricultural products to the appropriate officials to help protect U.S. agriculture.

These simple steps can help keep your vacation on course while protecting swine populations and agriculture throughout the Caribbean and the United States.

So go ahead—hop from island to island, discover your next favorite beach and enjoy every stop along the way. Just remember: the best thing to bring home from your Caribbean adventure is the memories, not pork.

To learn more about ASF and how to prevent its spread, visit: www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/asf