The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) is concerned that the level of federal funding for basic and applied research for swine diseases is inadequate to address the needs of the swine industry. Federal support for long-term research projects to address foreign, emerging and re-emerging diseases is vitally important to protect the industry and promote domestic and international markets.
Over the last few years, the budgets associated with programs at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) have all either declined or been held basically flat at existing levels. This has frequently necessitated a reduction in the capability to conduct needed research, the loss of scientific resources, or the inability to adequately fund research facilities. The leadership of the AASV recognizes this trend as potentially devastating for the future ability of the government and the industry to respond to disease and production challenges. Addressing this disturbing trend should be a major focus of the association and the swine industry.
In an effort to focus attention on this long-term issue, the AASV Board of Directors adopted the following position statement during its spring meeting on March 11, 2008:
The AASV encourages the USDA and Congress to reevaluate the allocation of funding for research issues to address swine diseases and to adequately fund research programs and facilities. The association will work with the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council to obtain an accounting of current federal research budgets and determine industry needs relative to swine disease research.