see also: in January 2009:   CBP Officers Discover 957 Pounds of Marijuana in Concrete Pipes   CBP Canine Detects $600,000 Worth of Marijuana at Douglas Port   CBP Officers Seize $80,000 of Marijuana at Naco Port of Entry   Border Patrol Stops Vehicle, Leads to Meth Seizure   CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize Fake $20’s Found during Outbound Inspection   Border Patrol Agents Rescue Woman Injured in Car Accident   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Sex Offender ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Atlanta – United States Customs and Border Protection Field Operations agriculture specialists at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recently seized 100-year-old eggs, chicken feet and bushmeat.

First, CBP Field Operations agriculture specialists seized 100-year-old eggs and chicken feet from two passengers arriving from China and Vietnam. Poultry products from China and Vietnam are prohibited from entry because the United States Department of Agriculture considers China and Vietnam to be affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (subtype H5N1), often referred to simply as bird flu or avian influenza.

Next, CBP Field Operations agricultural specialists seized a grasscutter from Nigeria. The grasscutter, a type of bushmeat, was discovered during a routine baggage examination. The United States Public Health Service prohibits the entry of bushmeat as it has been associated with monkey pox, a rare infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus. It is most prevalent in Central and West Africa.

“These interdictions are significant discoveries and an excellent example of how CBP Field Operations agriculture specialists partner with other federal agencies to help protect the U.S. from both human and animal disease”, said Stephen Kremer CBP Field Operations port director in Atlanta. “These seizures demonstrate how seriously CBP takes its agriculture mission.”

CBP Field Operations agriculture specialists protect the United States from the threat of invasive pests and diseases through inspection, detection and prevention efforts designed to keep prohibited agricultural items from entering the country. These items, whether in commercial cargo or with a person entering the United States, could cause serious damage to America’s crops, livestock and the environment.

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.