The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is temporarily stopping movement of pork and pork products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of an effort to protect the U.S. mainland from African swine fever (ASF).

In a statement, the USDA said late in September it is “taking this action out of an abundance of caution to further safeguard the U.S. swine herd and protect the interests and livelihoods of U.S. pork producers.”

The USDA “continues to coordinate with both territories to increase education and outreach and improve ...