Table 1.

Summarized responses on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each ASF control scenario for the DR.

Scenario	Advantages (strengths and opportunities)	Disadvantages (weaknesses and threats)
Scenario 1: Total depopulation
In this scenario, all domestic pigs (backyard production and commercial farms) in the Dominican Republic would be depopulated, with no exceptions.	More effective, fast, and safe eradication, achieving recertification as an ASF-free country in the shortest possible time. Previous experience carrying out a total eradication in the country. Opportunity to create a more organized and pathogen-free pig industry, including the elimination of CSF and PRRSV, and for the development of the meat import business. Offers of international technical and economic support for the program and responding to the regional concern about the ASF and CSF status of the DR.	Total eradication can fail for several reasons, including lack of sufficient funds, not knowing the location of backyard pigs, permissive controls, resistance from producers, lack of consensus, or insufficient political power to implement. Even if it is successful, the risk of new introduction from Haiti or other infected regions may result in a strategy of high economic and social cost that fails to sustain ASF-freedom. Social and economic impacts including market shortages, loss of the fresh pork market, labor unemployment, inoperative dead investments, food insecurity, disappearance of the informal trade of pork products such as chicharrones, roast pigs and artisanal sausages (mondongueros), and bankruptcy of producers.
Scenario 2: Partial depopulation
In this scenario, most pig farms would be depopulated. However, farms that commit to following established standards, such as surveillance, intensive testing and biosecurity, would not be depopulated and would be allowed to remain in production.	Better control of the pig population and its health and productive status. Elimination of the informal population, which is the one that is perceived to increase risk. Maintain a pig industry for repopulation, creating ASF-free zones and maintaining the fresh meat market, level of production and labor. Possibility of evaluating a vaccine.	Difficult implementation (unknown location of backyard farms, constant repopulation, insufficient controls). ASF can become endemic, and outbreaks may recur. Longer recovery time. Greater financial impact for the state in the long run due to additional resources and time to eradicate ASF. Exports are still prohibited and less trust and support from the international community. Lack of unity among producers as some will benefit and others will not. Creation of conflict since imposing restrictions would form debates as to why one farm continues, and another would not. Conflicts between affected producers who do and do not comply with the rules would increase.
Scenario 3: Continue with current control measures
African swine fever control strategies, such as surveillance and depopulation, would continue as currently carried out, with the potential for endemicity of African swine fever.	The Dominican population would continue to receive porcine protein of the highest quality. The government will not have to invest in funds for depopulation, disposal, or indemnity. Efficiency, health status and profitability improve for those who survive.	No examples of current control successes, in Europe or Asia, that can be replicated. Continued trade of infected animals, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks and endemicity that will destroy the industry. Investments in the industry would be very risky. Smaller scale, higher risk investments would lead to decreases in food safety and quality. International bodies and trading partners will eventually withdraw their support.