Now the protection zone, if it should go positive, under the World Organization for Animal Health code, should be recognized by our trading partners and they should accept that the status of the mainland has not changed.Again, the purpose of the protection zone is to mitigate the impacts to trade by showing our trading partners all the things we are doing to minimize the risk that African Swine Fever could travel from Puerto Rico to the U.S.
These would include decreasing feral swine populations, on the island of Puerto Rico, significantly increasing surveillance efforts, requiring travelers coming to the mainland to get their luggage inspected by USDA for the presence of meat products.
The protection zone is intended to mitigate the impacts and we are hoping that our trading partners recognize the significant efforts underway.
Dr. Forseth encourages mainland pork producers to stay informed and to take advantage of programs offered to help prepare for a foreign animal disease.
Source : Farmscape.ca