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1 [1] (May 17, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govzsp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: $ Congressional Research Serice lnforrmiig the legisaivye debate slnce 1914 May 17, 2019 African Swine Fever (ASF) Between September 2018 and May 2019, the number of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks has rapidly increased, most notably in China, triggering economic losses in affected pork-producing countries (Figure 1). Since September 2018, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)-an intergovernmental organization coordinating, supporting, and promoting animal health and disease control-has reported that over 2.8 million hogs have been culled globally due to ASF. Many industry observers believe that the actual number of culled animals is much higher. The extent of ASF outbreaks is expected to affect international trade in pork and feedstuffs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is monitoring the global spread of ASF and has developed plans to prevent ASF introduction into the United States. Background ASF is a viral disease that affects swine, including domestic pigs, feral (wild) swine, wild boar, and other exotic swine. Infected swine may exhibit symptoms including high fever, decreased appetite, and weakness. ASF leads to nearly 100% mortality rates in swine herds. There is no treatment or vaccine available for ASF. The only way to reduce the prevalence of ASF is to quarantine and depopulate (cull) all affected and exposed animals. ASF does not have zoonotic potential-the infection cannot spread from animals to humans. ASF is caused by the African swine fever virus and spreads between pigs by direct contact with an infected animal, its bodily fluids (e.g., saliva, blood, feces), or animal tissue or through indirect contact with contaminated objects. In addition, it is often introduced into a herd through the feeding of garbage. On-farm biosecurity is critical to preventing ASF from developing and spreading. ASF Impacts on Global Pork Trade China, the world's leader in pork production, has notified OIE of animal losses due to ASF. Between September 2018 and May 2019, China has reported over 2 million culled animals. The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service's Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade report for April 2019 forecasts that China's pork imports in 2019 will climb to a record high, partly due to liquidation of China's swine herd. Despite efforts to contain the disease, outbreaks continue to emerge, and it appears that China will be unable to eradicate ASF in the near term. Chinese pork imports could partially offset its lower production, and the EU, Canada, Brazil, and United States are expected to increase exports to China. Because of ASF, USDA reports that U.S. pork sales to China from January to April 2019 are more than three times higher than during the same period a year ago in spite of the retaliatory tariffs China imposed on U.S. pork exports in April 2018. Higher Chinese imports will likely create an uptick in global pork trade in 2019, driving global hog prices up and leading to record sales for exporters, such as the United States. In contrast, China is also the world's leading importer of soybeans-a source for high-protein meal used as animal feed-averaging over 90 million metric tons per year since 2016, according to USDA. A substantial decline in China's hog population could curb its soybean imports. Figure I. Global Distribution of ASF (January 201 7-May 2019) Source: OlE, World Animal Health Information Database, accessed May 15, 2019. htps:/crreportscongressgov

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