The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is rescinding the Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases (SECD) Federal Order and will no longer require producers, veterinarians or laboratories to report cases to Federal animal health officials. SECD is now well understood by the veterinary community and producers, and tools exist to effectively respond to it. This action is effective today (March 6, 2018). [Source: USDA, March 6, 2018]
USDA first issued the Federal Order in 2014 to help address these newly-identified viruses, which were causing hardships for the swine industry. As knowledge of SECD grew, USDA modified the Federal Order in 2016 to only include reporting requirements. Although SECD is now considered widespread, there’s a better understanding of how to manage it. The swine industry is willing and capable of working with its producers and veterinarians to address SECD without Federal assistance.
The removal of the Federal Order aligns with feedback the swine industry provided to USDA and supports Secretary Perdue’s focus on ensuring USDA programs are delivered efficiently, effectively and with integrity and a focus on customer service, in this case by removing unnecessary regulatory requirements.