Farm Compliance

Three charred monkeys were discovered in the luggage of an African traveler who arrived to Dulles International Airport about 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Additionally, Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered 10 pounds of deer meat and 10 pounds of dried beef in the traveler’s luggage. None of the meat products was admissible under U.S. law. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested to further examine the monkeys; the deer and beef were destroyed.

“We respect that certain cultures may consider exotic meat such as primate as a delicacy,” said Christopher Hess, CBP port director at Dulles. “Nevertheless, CBP is charged with protecting our nation’s agriculture and natural resources against pests and foreign animal diseases that may be unknowingly carried by certain products as well as enforcing regulations of other Federal agencies.”

 A CBP canine initially alerted to the traveler’s luggage indicating the presence of agriculture products and the traveler was referred for an agriculture inspection.

Millions of international travelers arrive to Dulles International Airport annually from all over the world. Many bring with them traditional meals around the holidays to share with relatives in the United States. Sometimes those meals are prepared with meat, vegetables and fruits that are prohibited in the United States. One of CBP’s primary missions is to prevent the deliberate or accidental introduction of insect pests, plant and animal diseases, and biological threats that could harm our nation’s agriculture.

International travelers can learn which products are admissible and which are inadmissible at CBP’s Travel Web site.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.