The Samoa Government is dealing directly with the US Department of Agriculture towards removing the current ban on meat imports from Samoa.
We’re talking about povi masima, pork, sausages and steak from Samoa.
Senator Magalei Logovi’i raised the issue during review of the Department of Agriculture’s budget last week.
He said all the meat he brought on a recent trip to Samoa was confiscated at the airport.
Magalei told Director of Agriculture Lealao Mel Purcell the importation of meat and meat products from Samoa has been discussed for so many years but there’s been no resolution.
He wanted to find out whether it is the American Samoa Department of Agriculture or the US Department of Agriculture that decides whether the ban should be lifted.
DOA Director Lealao explained that the only meat allowed to be exported from Samoa is cooked chicken
He said the USDA continues the ban on pork and beef from Samoa due to the risk of disease.
He informed lawmakers of reports that the Samoa Government is working on security regulations with the USDA to that the territory can resume the importation of meat from Samoa.
Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Senator Atualevao Asifoa said he has brought up the Samoa meat ban several times with the local DOA.
He sensed there was something wrong with the ban.
At the inter Samoa talks, Samoa has repeatedly requested American Samoa to lift the ban on meat from Samoa.
The ban however was not imposed by American Samoa but by the USDA on the basis that Samoa does not have a USDA certified abattoir which raises food security concerns.
