U.S. to ban hog shipments if African swine fever is found
On Friday, USDA announced it will stop all shipment of pigs for at least three days if any cases of African swine fever is found here. The fatal hog disease has reduced China’s herd by more than 40 percent, pushing pork prices to record highs, Reuters reports. Containing the virus is vital for U.S. farmers and meat processors, as an outbreak could halt $7 billion in exports of American pork. While no vaccine or cure is available for African swine fever, experts recommend infected pigs be culled. USDA advises that the best option to dispose of dead pigs would be to bury them on farms or turn them into compost. The agency also plans to pay for virus elimination at a uniform, flat rate, based on the size of the affected premises.
