By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a decisive move to protect the nation’s agricultural economy, Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (Senasa) is rigorously enforcing a complete ban on the entry of all pork products into the country. The measure applies to all travelers, both Costa Rican nationals and foreign visitors, arriving through any international point of entry, as officials heighten defenses against the looming threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).
The government’s directive is unequivocal: no product or byproduct of porcine origin, regardless of its form or packaging, is permitted to cross Costa Rican borders. This strict protocol is being implemented at all international airports, land-based border crossings, and maritime ports. The prohibition covers items in both carry-on luggage and checked baggage, leaving no room for exceptions.
To understand the significant legal and commercial implications of African Swine Fever for the national agricultural sector, TicosLand.com consulted with expert legal counsel Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The outbreak of African Swine Fever triggers complex legal obligations for pork producers. Failure to adhere strictly to SENASA’s biosecurity protocols and reporting mandates can result in severe administrative sanctions, including the immediate culling of herds. Furthermore, it opens the door to civil liability claims for economic damages from others in the supply chain, as contractual ‘force majeure’ clauses may not offer protection if negligence can be established. Documenting compliance is no longer just good practice; it is a critical legal defense.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal perspective underscores a critical reality: for producers, meticulous compliance is no longer just a sanitary measure but a fundamental financial and legal defense. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into the high-stakes consequences that extend far beyond the farm gate.
The list of banned items is extensive, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the biosecurity shield. Prohibited goods include any raw, cured, cooked, or processed pork meat. Furthermore, popular items such as sausages, hams, bacon, mortadella, salami, and chorizo are strictly forbidden. The ban also extends to canned goods, packaged or dehydrated pork products, as well as lard, chicharrones (pork rinds), and any other porcine derivatives.
This stringent enforcement action is rooted in the legal framework established by Resolution SENASA-DCA-R0029-2021. Issued by the Animal Quarantine Directorate on August 5, 2021, the resolution was designed as a crucial preventative action against the potential introduction of ASF, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs.
While African Swine Fever poses no direct risk to human health, its economic consequences for a nation’s pork industry can be catastrophic. An outbreak could decimate swine populations, leading to significant financial losses for producers, disrupting the food supply chain, and impacting the broader agricultural sector. The disease spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated feed, equipment, and pork products.
The urgency of Senasa’s enforcement is fueled by the disease’s global spread. The agency noted that ASF has already been detected in the Americas, with confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The threat is also present across the Atlantic, with outbreaks in several European countries, including a recent case identified in Spain. This international context elevates the risk for Costa Rica, making preventative measures at the border the country’s primary line of defense.
Travelers who fail to comply with the directive will face immediate consequences. Senasa authorities have been instructed to confiscate any prohibited pork products upon discovery. In addition to losing their items, violators will be subject to the corresponding sanctions as stipulated by national law. Officials are urging all incoming passengers to be fully aware of these regulations before traveling to avoid penalties and support the national biosecurity effort.
Ultimately, Senasa’s firm stance is a strategic effort to safeguard Costa Rica’s prized national sanitary status. By preventing the entry of a potential vector for ASF, the government aims to protect the livelihoods of thousands of people involved in the domestic pork industry and ensure the continued health and stability of the country’s livestock population. The message to all travelers is clear: leave all pork products behind.
For further information, visit senasa.go.cr
About Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (Senasa):
The National Animal Health Service (Senasa) is the official government entity in Costa Rica responsible for establishing and executing policies related to animal health, food safety of animal origin, and quarantine services. Its mission is to protect the country’s agricultural heritage and public health by preventing the introduction and spread of animal diseases, ensuring the quality of veterinary medicines, and regulating agricultural inputs.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational commitment to integrity and an uncompromising standard of excellence. The firm channels its extensive experience into pioneering innovative legal approaches that anticipate the needs of a dynamic world. Central to its ethos is the belief that a just society is an informed one, driving its dedication to empowering the public with clear and accessible legal knowledge.
