African Swine Fever: What it means for America if it were to get into the country

Since 2021 with its detection in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, African swine fever (ASF) has been knocking at our door. This highly contagious viral disease, which is harmless to humans but up to 100% fatal to pigs, has already decimated swine populations across Asia, Europe and elsewhere. Its potential arrival in the U.S. continues to be a concern since our economy and our daily routines are at stake.

ASF poses a multifaceted threat to the U.S., impacting not only farmers, producers, and the pork industry, but also impacting the broader U.S. economy, including impacting the average American’s dinner table.

Economic Fallout

First and foremost, ASF would deliver a severe blow to our agricultural sector. Pork is a cornerstone of American agriculture, with the industry contributing billions annually to our economy and employing thousands of hardworking individuals across the country. An ASF outbreak would lead to mass culling of infected pigs, disrupting supply chains and causing significant financial losses to farmers, processors, and distributers alike. In fact, recent estimates show a $15 billion loss to the economy in just two years and $75 billion over 10 years should ASF enter the U.S.

Trade restrictions would be imposed, limiting our ability to export pork products to other countries and damaging our standing in global markets. This would further impact the bottom line of farmers and swine producers and severely impact the U.S. economy. The ripple effects would extend to feed suppliers, transportation networks and beyond, threatening the livelihoods of many communities that rely on the pork industry.