The Solomon Islands government is preparing to ban all pork imports as a precautionary measure against African Swine Fever.
The highly contagious disease can kill domestic pigs within a week of transmission.
The Ministry of Agriculture said it is preparing to gazette the ban pending legal advice from the attorney general.
It said Solomon Islands does not have the resources to manage any potential outbreak.
The ministry said protection of domestic livestock is of paramount concern and far outweighs the negative impact the ban will have on local businesses.
The ministry is calling on local farmers to increase their production to meet the anticipated pork shortfall in the local market once the ban comes into effect.