FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2021-0002

September 17, 2021

Subject: APHIS Suspends the Interstate Movement of Live Swine, Swine Germplasm, 

Swine Products, and Swine Byproducts from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 

Islands 

To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) is issuing this Federal Order to prevent the possible introduction of African swine fever 

virus (ASF) into and spread of ASF within the continental United States. 

Effective immediately, APHIS is suspending the interstate movement of all live swine, swine 

germplasm, swine products, and swine byproducts from Puerto Rico (PR) and the U.S. Virgin 

Islands (USVI) until APHIS can establish sufficient mitigations to authorize such movement. 

APHIS is taking this action because of the proximity of PR and the USVI to the Dominican 

Republic (DR), which is currently reporting a significant outbreak of ASF. In addition to 

proximity, considered factors include the frequency of passenger travel, international mail 

shipments between the DR and PR and the USVI, and the frequency of small scale commercial 

agricultural trade between the DR and PR and the USVI, all of which increase the risk of spread 

of ASF to PR and the USVI.

For more information regarding this Federal Order you may contact Dr. Dawn Hunter at 

Dawn.K.Hunter@usda.gov.

Rosemary Sifford

Deputy Administrator

Veterinary Services

Attachment: Federal Order
FEDERAL ORDER

Federal Order Suspending the Interstate Movement of Live Swine, Swine Germplasm, Swine

Products, and Swine Byproducts from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 

DA-2021-0002

September 17, 2021

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this Federal Order to prevent the possible introduction of African 

swine fever (ASF) into and spread of ASF within the continental United States. ASF is a highly 

contagious disease of wild and domestic swine that can spread rapidly in swine populations and 

can have extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. 

This Federal Order is issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Animal 

Health Protection Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 8301 et seq. Section 8305 authorizes the 

Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any 

animal, article, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or 

restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction of any pest or disease of livestock into the 

United States or the dissemination of any pest or disease of livestock within the United States. 

The Dominican Republic is currently reporting a significant outbreak of ASF. While ASF is not 

known to occur in Puerto Rico (PR) or the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), because of the 

proximity of PR and the USVI to the Dominican Republic, the frequency of passenger travel and 

international mail shipments between the Dominican Republic and PR and the USVI, and the 

frequency of small-scale commercial agricultural trade between the Dominican Republic and PR 

and the USVI, APHIS has identified several pathways for the possible introduction of ASF from 

the Dominican Republic to PR or the USVI. Moreover, there are known commercial and feral 

pig populations in both territories, and there are currently no restrictions on the interstate 

movement of live swine, swine germplasm, swine products and swine byproducts from PR or the 

USVI into the continental United States. 

Accordingly, effective immediately, APHIS is suspending the interstate movement of live swine,

swine germplasm, swine products, and swine byproducts from PR and USVI in cargo and 

passenger baggage.

For more information regarding this Federal Order you may contact Dr. Dawn Hunter 

(Dawn.K.Hunter@usda.gov).