13 Sep 2016

Samoa and US govt. talk meat exports

12:53 pm on 13 September 2016

The Samoa Government is dealing directly with the US Department of Agriculture to try and lift a ban on meat exports into American Samoa.

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Photo: 123rf

At the inter Samoa talks, Samoa repeatedly requested American Samoa lift the ban on meat from Samoa.

The ban was not imposed by American Samoa but by the USDA because Samoa does not have a USDA certified abattoir.

The director of agriculture, Lealao Mel Purcell, said the USDA continues the ban on pork and beef from Samoa due to the risk of disease.

The only meat that can be imported from Samoa is cooked chicken.

Our correspondent said the Samoa Government is working on security regulations with the USDA so that the territory can resume the importation of meat from Samoa.