The 2020 NWRC Accomplishments Report is now available!
Category Archives: USDA
APHIS Eliminates the Voluntary Trichinae Certification Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is eliminating the Voluntary Trichinae Certification Program and removing the regulations associated with the program from the Code of Federal Regulations. This program generates little producer participation, and this action is intended to benefit the swine industry by reducing possible confusion about the trichinae-free status of exported products. [Source: USDA 23 September 2021]
USDA Announces $3 Billion Investment in Agriculture, Animal Health, and Nutrition; Unveils New Climate Partnership Initiative, Requests Public Input
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. These include assistance to address challenges and costs associated with drought, animal health, market disruptions for agricultural commodities, and school food supply chain issues. Secretary Vilsack also outlined and requested public comments on a new climate partnership initiative designed to create new revenue streams for producers via market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. [Source: USDA 29 September 2021]
USDA Submits Dossier to the World Organisation for Animal Health to Finalize African Swine Fever Protection Zone
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) submitted a dossier to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) detailing the actions taken to finalize a new African Swine Fever (ASF) protection zone in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The United States has long kept ASF out of the country, and this action, coupled with our existing, comprehensive import restrictions and safeguards will further strengthen our ability to protect the U.S. swine herd given recent findings of the disease in the Dominican Republic and Haiti [Source: USDA 24 September 2021].
USDA Announces Proposed Framework for Advancing Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Emerging Zoonotic Diseases through the American Rescue Plan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicating $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to conduct surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging and zoonotic diseases in susceptible animals and build an early warning system to alert public health partners to potential threats so they can take steps sooner to prevent or limit the next global pandemic. [Source: USDA] 24 August 2021
USDA African Swine Fever Action Week Sep 13–17
The United States Department of Agricultureâs (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week from September 13-17 â encouraging U.S. swine producers to join multiple webinars to learn about ASF and what they can do to help protect the U.S. swine herd. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also recorded a video echoing the importance of keeping this devastating disease out of the United States. [Source: USDA 8 September 2021]
USDA African Swine Fever Action Week Sep 13–17
The United States Department of Agricultureâs (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week from September 13-17 â encouraging U.S. swine producers to join multiple webinars to learn about ASF and what they can do to help protect the U.S. swine herd. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also recorded a video echoing the importance of keeping this devastating disease out of the United States. [Source: USDA 8 September 2021]
USDA African Swine Fever Action Week Sep 13–17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service invites you to join us September 13-17 for daily webinars to learn more about African swine fever and its global spread, actions APHIS is taking to safeguard the United States, and biosecurity measures you can implement now to protect the U.S. herd.
USDA Continuing African Swine Fever Prevention Efforts -Preparing to Establish Foreign Animal Disease Protection Zone to Safeguard Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Entire U.S. Swine Industry
As part of its continuing efforts to respond to the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic (DR) and prevent its introduction into the Conterminous United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is preparing to establish a Foreign Animal Disease protection zone in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ASF has not been detected in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and USDA is committed to keeping it out of both islands and the rest of the United States. Out of an abundance of caution, APHIS is taking this additional action to further safeguard the U.S. swine herd and protect the interests and livelihoods of U.S. pork producers. [Source: USDA 26 August 2021]
USDA Announces Proposed Framework for Advancing Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Emerging Zoonotic Diseases through the American Rescue Plan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicating $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to conduct surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging and zoonotic diseases in susceptible animals and build an early warning system to alert public health partners to potential threats so they can take steps sooner to prevent or limit the next global pandemic. [Source: USDA] 24 August 2021