LaredoBuzz.Com

 Courtesy Richard Pauza,

 Laredo, Texas — As the Easter holiday approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is advising the traveling public along the U.S.-Mexico border that cascarones (confetti-filled egg shells) and other agricultural items are prohibited from entry to the U.S. and violations can trigger significant penalties.  Cascarones are a component of the Easter celebration for many families.

Penalties for personal importations of undeclared, prohibited agricultural items including cascarones, depending on the severity of the violation, can run as high as $1,000 and up to more than $250,000 for commercial importations of cascarones.

 The reason cascarones are prohibited from entry into the U.S. is to prevent further spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) through contaminated eggshells.  END is a highly contagious, fatal viral disease that affects a substantial number of bird species, attacking respiratory, nervous and digestive systems.  END is so virulent that many birds die without having developed any clinical signs.  END can infect and cause death even in vaccinated poultry.  Mortality is up to 90 percent of exposed birds.

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the federal agency that takes the lead in excluding END from the United States and responding to any END outbreaks that occur.  The only way to eradicate END from commercial poultry is to destroy infected flocks and impose strict quarantine and in-depth surveillance programs.

 An END outbreak in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas in 2003 cost growers and the government more than $70 million to eradicate infected flocks and implement quarantine and monitoring programs.  END is known to occur in Mexico.

 However, decorated, etched or painted empty eggshells encountered in passenger baggage and originating from Exotic Newcastle Disease-affected countries (such as Mexico) are not restricted if they are only for personal use, are cleaned and dry, and do not exceed 10 eggs per passenger. The 10 empty eggshells should be cleaned and dry, but may be decorated.

 In addition, CBP would like to remind the public traveling during the Easter holidays that other agricultural products also are prohibited or restricted for personal importation. These products include raw or cooked pork including sausages or cold cuts; raw poultry, raw potatoes, apples, oranges, pears, tejocotes, sugarcane, eggs, certain plants for propagation, chrysanthemums, live birds and straw.

  All of these items are prohibited for personal importation because they can serve as hosts for a number of pest or animal diseases. Fines for bringing prohibited agricultural items can range from $300 to $1,000.