Pork Exports Halted in USVI

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended the exportation of pork products for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico due to an outbreak of the African Swine Flu (ASF) in the Dominican Republic. In a letter sent to State and Territory agricultural officials, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service declared the suspension of interstate travel for all live swine, swine germplasm, swine products and swine byproducts out of the territories until the agency can mitigate the potential spread from the neighboring Dominican Republic. “In addition to proximity, considered factors include the frequency of passenger travel, international mail shipments between the DR and PR and the USVI, and the frequency of small scale commercial agricultural trade between the DR and PR and the USVI, all of which increase the risk of spread of ASF to PR and the USVI,” the USDA stated in the September 17th letter. Neither of the territories have reported new cases or occurrences of the African Swine Flu, but samples obtained from pigs in the Dominican Republic have tested positive for ASF. While ASF does not affect humans, it has a devastating impact on livestock with up to a 100% mortality rate. In 2019, an outbreak of African Swine Flu wiped out about half of China’s pig population. China’s swine exports represent about a quarter of the world’s pork supply. While the USVI does not engage in the commercial pork trade, according to Farm Progress, the USDA hopes its efforts will protect livestock country-wide from becoming afflicted with ASF. Signs of African Swine Flu include “high fever; decreased appetite and weakness; red, blotchy skin or skin lesions; diarrhea; vomiting; and coaching and difficulty breathing,” according to foodsafteynews.com and affects wild boar and domestic pigs.