U.S. announces ASF action plan

If African swine fever were to enter the U.S, an “extraordinary emergency” would be declared, establishing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the leader of a coordinated national approach to control and eradication, and ensuring the availability of funding and additional resources necessary for the response. 

The additional measures announced will strengthen the country's ability to quickly and effectively respond to the disease:

• USDA would issue a national standstill of at least 72 hours to prohibit all movement of swine increasing USDA’s ability to stop disease spread and to act quickly to restore movement on a regionalized basis.
• For the depopulation of infected and exposed animals, USDA would work with states and industry to utilize the most efficient and effective depopulation methods appropriate for the affected premises.  
• To prevent virus from leaving infected premises, USDA will work proactively with industry and states to ensure producers have herd plans to deal with carcass disposal in line with regional and local requirements, supporting composting and burial in place as preferred options.
• To reduce paperwork, USDA plans to pay for virus elimination at a uniform, flat rate, based on the size of affected premises.