Organic waste flow as an ASF vulnerability: a multi-sector participatory systems workshop in eastern Dominican...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Food Systems Analysis
• Risk Management

Background:

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is endemic in La Hispaniola, posing a significant threat to the Americas.
• Backyard pig producers in the Dominican Republic rely on organic waste from tourism, creating complex transmission networks.
• A participatory systems approach is crucial for understanding and managing ASF risks within this interconnected system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the organic waste chain and identify vulnerabilities related to ASF transmission.
• To develop targeted mitigation strategies through a participatory workshop.
• To assess barriers and prioritize recommendations for ASF risk governance.

Main Methods:

• A two-day workshop involving stakeholders from tourism, waste management, government, and pig production.
• System mapping, focus groups, STEEP analysis, and an Impact/Effort Matrix were employed.
• The workshop utilized a participatory approach to frame ASF as a systemic vulnerability.

Main Results:

• Informal waste chains, lack of thermal treatment, and shared collection vehicles were identified as major ASF transmission risks.
• Barriers included cultural practices, cost of regulation, and underutilized technology.
• Prioritized recommendations focused on enforcing existing regulations and improving infrastructure for small producers.

Conclusions:

• Coordinated One Health governance across tourism, waste management, and pig farming is essential for ASF biosecurity.
• Enforcement of current regulations is an immediate and critical step.
• The participatory workshop model offers a replicable framework for ASF risk governance in the Caribbean.