What best describes the impact of African Swine Fever on the industry?

The impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the industry is best described by the option stating that it can significantly disrupt commercial operations. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boar, leading to severe economic consequences for the swine industry. When ASF outbreaks occur, they can result in massive culling of infected and susceptible animals to control the spread of the disease. This directly impacts the supply chain, reduces pork production, and leads to increased prices for consumers. Furthermore, countries experiencing ASF outbreaks may face trade restrictions, as other nations may ban imports of pork products from affected areas, further destabilizing the market. The overall economic impact includes losses from reduced herd sizes, trade barriers, and increased production costs.

The other options do not accurately capture the effects of ASF. Suggesting that it has no economic impact ignores the substantial losses that the industry faces during outbreaks. The statement that it increases productivity is inconsistent with the nature of the disease, as ASF does not enhance production but rather decreases the number of animals available for production. While it is true that ASF can affect wild pigs, this option does not encompass the broad and significant disruptions it causes to the commercial swine industry, making it incomplete in the context of the industry's