Chicago — The US pork industry has cancelled its annual convention over concerns that international attendees could bring in an incurable hog disease at a time when American farmers are already suffering from trade wars. The decision to scrap the World Pork Expo, referred to as the “big pig gig” and held by the National Pork Producers Council in Des Moines each June, signals growing fears about the spread of African swine fever in Asia. The event usually attracts about 20,000 people over three days, including visitors from China and other countries that have experienced outbreaks of the disease, according to the group. China, home to the world’s largest hog herd, has reported more than 110 cases of African swine fever since it was first detected in the country in August 2018. There is no cure and no vaccine for the disease, which does not affect humans but is highly contagious and fatal to pigs. The Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health said on Wednesday that SA detecte...
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