I'm interested in hunting NZ, and a friend of mine insists we can import the meat from NZ. I am equally certain the only country from which we can import the meat is Canada (to US). I've looked online (USDA, FWS, IBP) with no clear "yea or nay." Can anyone help? Cite me a specific reg or website if possible. Thanks!

Chris

Here ya go. -TONY

Meat and Animal Products and Byproducts

Fresh, dried, or canned meats and meat byproducts are prohibited entry into the United States from most foreign countries because of the continuing threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow disease), and other animal diseases. If meat from restricted countries is used in preparing a product (e.g., beef broth), the product is usually prohibited.

Because regulations concerning meat and meat byproducts change frequently, travelers should contact the consulate or local agricultural office in the country of origin for up-to-date information on the disease status of that country.

Animal hunting trophies, game animal carcasses, and hides are severely restricted. To find out specifics and how to arrange to bring them into the United States, contact USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services, National Center for Import and Export (NCIE) at 301-734-7830, or on the Web at Veterinary Services - Safeguarding Animal Health (Import/Export) ( Veterinary Services )

The import and export of wild (and endangered) animals is regulated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

More here:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/

Interesting, I eat New Zealand lamb in restaurants here all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Interesting, I eat New Zealand lamb in restaurants here all the time.

That's because like most rules, there are exceptions. -TONY

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) regulates the importation of animals and animal-derived materials to ensure that exotic animal and poultry diseases are not introduced into the United States.

Generally, a USDA veterinary permit is needed for materials derived from animals or exposed to animal-source materials. Materials which require a permit include, animal tissues, blood, cells or cell lines of livestock or poultry origin, RNA/DNA extracts, hormones, enzymes, monoclonal antibodies for IN VIVO use in non-human species, certain polyclonal antibodies, antisera, bulk shipments of test kit reagents, and microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi (apply on-line for a VS import permit). Exceptions to this requirement are human and non-human primate tissues, serum, and blood. We also have information on animal products that do not require an import permit.


Various other animal materials which require a permit include dairy products (except butter and cheese), and meat products (e.g., meat pies, prepared foods) from countries with livestock diseases exotic to the U.S.

Import permit applications may be obtained from the NCIE home page or by writing the Import/Export Animal Products Program at:

Thanks Tony. Much of that I had seen, some new.

So to boil it down, it looks like importing game meat from any country except Canada is virtually impossible. And IF possible, is probably prohibitively expensive (applications, inspections, etc). Do I read all this correctly?

It was no surprise to me that my African game meat could not be imported - certainly would have been too expensive to bring much back even if it were possible. But I held out a little hope of returning with some from NZ. Alas, it looks as though my hopes were dashed!

Merry Christmas, thanks for the help.

Chris

Chris,

Yes, it could be problematic and involve lots of red tape.

In addition to Canada, it's also possible to bring in certain meat such as doves, waterfowl and venison back from Mexico, as long as it is frozen solid when you enter the US, and you have all the necessary paperwork to show it was legally taken. In the case of avian critters, you also have to leave one wing intact for ID purposes. Plus, you are limited to whatever the possession limit is IN MEXICO. -TONY

I once brought 400 doves back from Argentina. I was completely oblivious to the prohibition but was waved through anyway after having a conversation with the US Customs agent. Turned out he was a duck hunter.

Since then I've smuggled woodcock back from Ireland several years in a row. I just stuffed them in my wellies in my suitcase on the return.