
Two weeks ago we reported that raw and cooked meat from Samoa would again be allowed into American Samoa for personal consumption effective January 1st.
This was based on an announcement from the Samoa Government.
KHJ News has been informed however that meat products from Samoa are still banned from the territory while the two sides work on formal arrangements.
CEO of Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tilafono David Hunter, said in late October there was a meeting between their Minister of Agriculture Lopaoo Natanielu Mua, then Director of the American Samoa Department of Agriculture Filifaatali Mike Fuiava and himself where it was confirmed that travelers would be allowed to import into the territory, limited amounts of raw and/or cooked meat/meat products from Samoa for personal consumption only, as was allowed in the past.
The Samoa meat/meat products would have to satisfy Samoa’s internal food safety requirements (under relevant Acts/Regulations) before the Quarantine Services issues a sanitary certificate.
The allowance of meat/meat products into American Samoa will then depend on whether or not American Samoa DoA Quarantine Services issues an import permit.
Tilafono said it took them two months after their October meeting to sort out internal issues to ensure quality and safety of the local meat/meat products for American Samoa, and also make sure that only local meat and meat products are covered.
He made it clear that meat/meat products imported into Samoa from other countries will not qualify under this arrangement.
The Samoa official pointed out that American Samoa DoA recently advised them to cease publication of the arrangements they had agreed to until further notice.
Samoa’s Quarantine Services were advised to inform travelers that this arrangement is now deferred until after further discussions with American Samoa DoA.
The governor’s executive assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira has told KHJ News that he is currently drafting appropriate policies to set guidelines on the importation of fresh meat from Samoa.
“The basic concern is safety,” he stated.