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Pork groups help USDA block African Swine Fever entry

New cases of African Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic have state and national pork groups assisting the USDA to prevent U.S. entry.

Missouri Pork Executive Director Don Nikodim tells Brownfield…

“There’ve been efforts to make sure we have the beagle brigades in full force in airports and shipping docs, etcetera to help catch any product that might be moving in,” Nikodim said.

He said pork products that enter the U.S. illegally are incinerated.

National Pork Board Acting Chief Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Webb said imports from the Dominican Republic were already banned because of other foreign animal diseases.

“Along with USDA’s increased disease surveillance and enhanced screenings by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, these mitigation measures help ensure early identification and prevent the spread of this (African Swine Fever) and other FAD’s,” he said.

Webb said pigs can’t transfer ASF to people.