Some of the world’s biggest travel migrations are taking place around the world, due to the Lunar New Year (January 25) which is celebrated in several Asian countries.

Accordingly, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a reminder today (January 24) about travelling during this busy season.

The CBSA listed several food products, delicacies, and related items from Asia that are not permitted to be brought into Canada and were seized in 2019, including:

• raw beef
• lamb
• Chinese sausage
• chicken legs
• pig snouts and tail
• rabbit meat
• duck gizzards
• deer pizzle
• bushmeat
• bird’s nest and live birds
• Asian giant hornet’s nest
• plants with soil, wood cuttings, cherry tree blossoms, bamboo or willow branches and other foliage, or infested wooden statues

Due to the coronavirus, all international travelers arriving at Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal international airports will be asked an additional screening question to identify those who visited Wuhan, China, which is the epicentre of the outbreak which has been rapidly expanding.

Those who have visited Wuhan will be undergo additional screening measures, and travelers with flu-like symptoms will be examined by a public health officer.

The CBSA also notes that as risk of African swine fever being introduced to Canada is extremely high, pork or related meat products are also prohibited.

For further information about food, plant, and animal products, consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.