USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to invest resources to prevent African swine fever (ASF) from entering the United States. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has formally requested $500 million from the Office of Management and Budget to control the movement of the deadly swine disease from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Sec. Vilsack reports that $500 million does not go as far as some might think, as it’s possible the U.S. could spend $200 million just on indemnity in the Dominican Republic alone. APHIS estimated the disease could cost $50 billion in lost pork exports over the next decade if the virus enters the U.S.
Read more on USDA’s efforts to prevent African swine fever here.
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