Pork Products from Puerto Rico Face Stricter Swine Fever Checks
Published Date: 2/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA is updating and extending rules about tracking and limiting the movement of pig products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to stop African Swine Fever from spreading. Farmers, businesses, and transporters in these areas will need to follow the revised paperwork and reporting rules. Comments on these changes are open until April 21, 2026, with no new fees introduced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork and Permit Requirement for Movements
If you are a commercial producer or a State animal health official involved with swine in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you must follow revised paperwork and reporting rules to move certain swine products interstate. Commercial producers must either meet the Federal Order requirements or complete VS Form 16-3 (an application for a permit), and the information collection is being requested for OMB approval for 3 years.
No New Fees for Reporting Rules
USDA states that these revisions and the extension of the information collection introduce no new fees for producers or transporters. The public may comment on the collection through April 21, 2026.
Estimated Paperwork Burden Reduced
APHIS reports it has amended the information collection by decreasing the number of respondents, the number of responses, and the total burden hours. The agency estimates an average burden of 1.5 hours per response, 11 annual respondents, 20 annual responses, and 30 total annual burden hours.
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