120kg of pork products pulled by Customs

Monday 27 February 2023

It certainly wasn't a boar-ing weekend for Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, after they 'hogged' around 120kg of meat products imported into the island from Poland.

There was a 'pig' range of products, including sausages, cooked hams, and minced meat packaged in unmarked tins and plastic wrapping.

The haul was the result of collaboration with the Animal Health and Welfare team within the government's Natural Environment Department.

In a twist in the (pig's) 'tail', the products violated Jersey’s law that food products of animal origin imported into Jersey from the EU must be 'squealed' in the original packaging.

There are no limits on pork products imported commercially, but shipments must be in unsealed packaging, marked for delivery to a registered business, and pre-notified to the Environmental Health department, accompanied by specific documentation (a Common Health Entry Document and an Export Health Certificate).

It is legal to bring pork products into the island if they are 2kg or less, in the original unopened packaging, and clearly health marked.

This also applies to 2kg or less of raw and processed pet feed, which must be in a manufactured-sealed package.

It may seem like hogwash, but strict procedures and restrictions on the importation of certain pork products help to prevent introducing diseases such as African Swine Fever into the island.