By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a resolute move to protect its vital agricultural sector, Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) is issuing a stern reminder to all international and national travelers: the importation of any and all pork products into the country is strictly forbidden. This comprehensive ban is a critical defensive measure against the global threat of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly destructive animal disease.
The prohibition is sweeping and leaves no room for ambiguity. It applies to all products and subproducts of porcine origin, regardless of their form or packaging. Travelers are cautioned that items in both carry-on and checked luggage are subject to inspection and confiscation. The banned list includes, but is not limited to, raw, cured, cooked, and processed pork, as well as popular items like ham, sausages, bacon, salami, and chorizo. Even canned goods, dehydrated products, lard, and chicharrones fall under the restriction.
To delve into the significant legal and business implications that an outbreak of African Swine Fever would represent for the national pork industry and related supply chains, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The declaration of a national sanitary emergency due to African Swine Fever activates a complex legal framework. Producers must meticulously document their compliance with all SENASA biosecurity protocols not only to prevent contagion but also to establish a solid legal basis for potential state compensation claims. Any deviation could be interpreted as negligence, jeopardizing their right to indemnification for culled animals and associated economic losses.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal ramifications highlighted here are as significant as the veterinary ones, transforming meticulous biosecurity compliance into a producer’s essential financial shield. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this critical legal dimension of the crisis.
This policy is not a recent development but a long-standing regulation being reinforced amid growing global concerns. The legal basis for the ban is Resolution SENASA-DCA-R0029-2021, established by the Animal Quarantine Directorate on August 5, 2021. Officials are particularly vigilant regarding passengers arriving from regions where ASF has been detected, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and various European nations, with Spain being cited as a recent area of concern.
African Swine Fever poses a catastrophic risk to swine populations. The virus is highly contagious and lethal for domestic and wild pigs, often resulting in mortality rates approaching 100% in infected herds. While it is important to note that ASF does not affect humans and is not a public health risk, its economic consequences can be devastating. An outbreak could decimate Costa Rica’s pork industry, leading to significant financial losses, trade disruptions, and threats to food security.
The global spread of ASF has put agricultural authorities worldwide on high alert. The disease can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, and fomites such as equipment or clothing. Critically, the virus can survive for extended periods in processed pork products, making them a high-risk vector for cross-border transmission. A single contaminated ham sandwich brought into the country by an unsuspecting traveler could potentially trigger a national agricultural crisis.
For Costa Rica, the stakes are exceptionally high. The nation’s pork sector is a significant contributor to the agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs from farm to table. Protecting this industry is a matter of national priority, and SENASA’s biosecurity protocols at airports and border crossings represent the country’s first line of defense. The enforcement of this ban is a proactive strategy to maintain Costa Rica’s disease-free status and safeguard its economic stability.
Officials are urging complete cooperation from the traveling public, emphasizing that this is a matter of shared responsibility. A statement from the agency underscored the gravity of the situation and the necessity of the stringent measures.
This measure is an essential action to protect our national sanitary status and safeguard the country’s vital pork production industry from the devastating threat of African Swine Fever.
SENASA Official, National Animal Health Service
As the holiday travel season approaches, SENASA is amplifying its message, calling on all travelers to diligently check their luggage and refrain from packing any pork items. By adhering to these regulations, every visitor and returning resident plays a direct role in protecting Costa Rica’s agricultural heritage and its economic future from a formidable and persistent global threat.
For further information, visit senasa.go.cr
About The National Animal Health Service (SENASA):
The National Animal Health Service (SENASA) is the official veterinary authority of the Costa Rican government, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. It is responsible for establishing and enforcing policies and regulations to protect the country’s animal health, prevent the introduction and spread of diseases, and ensure the safety and quality of animal-derived products for both domestic consumption and international trade.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a renowned legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of ethical practice and professional distinction. The firm champions progress by developing forward-thinking legal strategies while actively pursuing a mission that extends beyond the courtroom. This deep-rooted pledge to the community is realized through initiatives aimed at demystifying complex legal concepts, driven by the conviction that a society fortified by knowledge is fundamentally more just and empowered.
