Delegates to the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (USSHIP) initiative, a pilot project to develop and implement an African swine fever (ASF)-Classical swine fever (CSF) monitored certification program, recently met to discuss developing program standards. [Source: website.
USSHIP, which is funded by USDA’s Veterinary Services, is directed by swine veterinarians from Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, the University of Illinois and the University of Minnesota. Its goal is to safeguard, certify and improve the health of the U.S. swine herd and enhance the longer-term competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. pork industry. The pilot project was established after a 2018 study was commissioned to seek a more-in-depth understanding of the National Poultry Improvement Plan and assess the potential for an NPIP-like program to support the U.S. pork industry.