Canadian Snowbird
Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wintering in the USA - Canadians told to leave meat products at home.

North York, Ontario
11 November 2003

Canadians who maintain winter residences in the United States will encounter new restrictions this year when attempting to cross the border with many of their favourite homemade food items.

In addition to a ban on bringing certain types of fresh fruits and vegetables into the U.S.; meat, meat products and animal by-products from ruminant animals of Canadian origin are also prohibited. Ruminants include cows, sheep, goats, deer, moose, elk, caribou and antelope. Hunter-harvested ruminant meat and trophies are also restricted.

Whether fresh, frozen or cooked, this includes such common items as bulk-purchased beef and roasts, meat pies, lasagne, spaghetti sauce containing meat, tinned soups and stews containing meat, and commercial pet food that is manufactured outside the USA. Even sandwiches containing meat, packed for eating along the way, will not make it past the border crossing.

"Our office has been receiving calls on a daily basis", says CSA president Ellen White. "People look to us as the definitive source for information when travelling to the U.S. for the winter months. Some callers are asking us to confirm stories they have heard about other travellers' experiences. Some calls are from people, in the wake of the mad cow scare earlier this year, who are proactively checking to make sure they will not encounter problems at the border with many items they have taken with them many times before."

Travellers who truthfully declare, when asked at a border crossing, if they have products containing these meat (in addition to certain fruits and vegetables) will have those items seized. Failure to declare will result in both a fine as well as seizure of the items. Bottom line – all travellers should assume they will be questioned and most likely searched for restricted food items when crossing into the USA. Don't take the risk - leave those items at home and purchase a new supply after crossing the border.

Further information can be found on the association's website: www.snowbirds.org

Founded in 1992, the Canadian Snowbird Association is a national not-for-profit advocacy organization of over 80,000 members. It is dedicated to actively defending and improving the rights and privileges of Canadian travellers within Canada and around the world.

For further information, please contact:
Canadian Snowbird Association
180 Lesmill Road
North York, Ontario M3B 2T5
Telephone (416) 441-7062 or 1-800-265-3200
Fax (416) 441-7007
E-Mail - CSAWRITEUS@snowbirds.org