Source: Jacqui Fatka, FARM PROGRESS, 8/26/21

News that African swine fever was detected in the Dominican Republic on July 28 takes on greater importance when considering it could shut down all of U.S. pork exports if it spreads just under 400 miles away to Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. As part of its continuing efforts to prevent ASF introduction into the Conterminous United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, APHIS is preparing to establish a Foreign Animal Disease protection zone in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agency says in a notice. By designating Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a “protection zone,” the World Organization for Animal Health designation allows the United States to maintain its...

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