Dominican Republic swine fever cases worry LHCA
Confirmation that African Swine Fever (ASF) is now present in the Dominican Republic has prompted the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) to warn that, if the disease reaches the US, there could be “potential ramifications” for US hides.
There are no known cases of ASF in the US at the moment, but its department of agriculture confirmed at the end of July that its diagnostic teams had identified the disease in samples collected from pigs in the Dominican Republic. This is the first time ASF has been detected in the region.
This news prompted LHCA to look closely at the implications for packers, tanners and hide traders if the disease should spread to the US. “Health certificate language for animal products would need to be changed to reflect the new reality of the disease,” LHCA said.
It explained that it was working closely with a coalition of industry partners and the US Department of Agriculture “to get ahead of any potential trade disruptions”. Its aim is to have action plans in place and ready for immediate implementation if ASF reaches the US. It said a priority list for consultations with key trading partners would be part of those action plans.
