The USDA has announced its intent to designate Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as African swine fever “protection zones”. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) designation would allow the U.S. to maintain its current animal health status should African swine fever or any other foreign animal disease be detected on the island territories.
National Pork Producers Council president Jen Sorenson says the pre-emptive step would help preserve the continuity of US pork exports.
