While it is thankfully not contagious to humans, African Swine Fever (ASF) has had a devastating impact on the pork markets around the world. It has created global pork shortages, especially in China, and will continue to drive the global pork trade to record levels in upcoming years. Simply put, there is not enough global meat to fill China’s needs while also meeting demand in the rest of the world. Prices for hogs and pork are growing higher and this trend will only continue. In spite of this, the bright and shining star has been-and continues to be-the USA! While pork prices are rising, ASF is nowhere to be seen in the USA.

The USA has not had a single case of ASF. Why?

• U.S. does not import any pork products from China or infected ASEAN countries.
• Regionalization agreements with Belgium and Poland for restricted pork imports
• U.S. takes a risk-based approach to imports • Recognizes OIE standards for regionalization of ASF positive countries.

What is the USA doing to prevent ASF?

• Extremely well-developed and adopted biosecurity
• Size of farms and level of integration means less holes in the system to introduce virus/disease
• Small “backyard” pork industry
• Greater enforcement at U.S. entry points, adding 600 new agriculture inspectors, including the “Beagle Brigade”. Also, additional language on customs declaration forms.

USA Pork is Safe and Delicious!

 

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For more Information about African Swine Fever
African swine fever virus is a contagious viral disease impacting only pigs, not people, so it is not a public health threat or food safety concern. The World Organization for Animal Health, of which the U.S. is a member, considers African swine fever to be a trade limiting foreign animal disease of swine. Countries with confirmed cases are subject to international trade restrictions aimed at reducing the risk of introduction of the disease through trade. The United States has never had a case of African swine fever and there are strict animal health and import requirements enforced by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine and Customs and Border Protection to prevent entry into the United States. There is a national response plan for African swine fever that has been developed by USDA Veterinary Services.

Pork is safe to eat. U.S. pigs are not affected by African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in other countries, to date.

African swine fever is a viral disease impacting only pigs, not people—so it is not a public health threat nor food-safety concern.

The USDA does not allow importation of pigs or fresh pork products into the U.S. from areas or regions of the world that are reported positive for the ASF virus.