USDA Bans Hogs, Pork from Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands to Mainland U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned the transportation of live hogs and pork from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland even though African Swine Fever (ASF) has not been detected in either of the territories. 

The move comes as part of USDA’s effort to shield the mainland from the swine virus and ensure that even if ASF does make the leap from the Dominican Republic, it will not give foreign buyers cause to ban all U.S. pork.

The latest USDA actions are designed to create a “protection zone” against ASF and present it to the World Health Organization, also known by the French acronym OIE. Once that is complete, USDA will begin lobbying foreign countries to accept the zone and pledge not to ban pork from the mainland even if ASF is detected in the territories.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

Why should CAD members be concerned about ASF? It could have a devastating impact on U.S. pork production, which in turn would impact grain and feed markets for corn and soybeans. In addition, it could severely impact the availability of meat at the grocery store, fast food establishments and restaurants across the nation. All of which could cause a pull-back in demand for cars and trucks. USDA and the pork industry deserve credit for taking precautionary measures to reduce the probability of this killer disease, for which there is no treatment or cure, from reaching our shores!