The Department of Agriculture is intensifying efforts to keep African Swine Fever out of the U.S. and educate the public about the devastating virus that’s plaguing China’s pork producers. USDA says it is working closer than ever with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency at ports after customs officials last week intercepted a smuggled shipment of 1 million pounds of food containing pork. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says it's also coordinating efforts with the U.S. pork sector and state government officials as well as “expanding the testing capabilities and testing capacity of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.” The National Pork Producers Council issued a statement, thanking customs officials and the USDA: “Preventing the spread of African swine fever to the United States is our top priority. We are thankful to CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for their increased vigilance and the expanded resources they have put in place to prevent ASF's spread to the United States, a development that would threaten animal health and immediately close our export markets at a time when we are already facing serious trade headwinds.”
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