News from the National Pork BoardThe National Pork Board (NPB) continues its commitment to improving our producers’ ability to prevent and respond in the event of a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak and mitigate its potential effects. Through hands-on work and collaboration with key partners such as academia, National Pork Producers Council, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians, NPB has built or supported an arsenal of tools to use against FAD threats, including AgView, Certified Swine Sample Collector training, and the Secure Pork Supply.
The US Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP), another example of NPB-supported collaboration, advanced its work in the second half of 2022 as more than 250 producers, veterinarians, swine health officials, and state pork association officials representing 31 states met as delegates in Bloomington, Minnesota. Voting delegates approved 8 resolutions for further assessment and consideration of 4 standards related to traceability, feed biosafety (2), live haul sanitation, surveillance (2), feral pig risk mitigation, and governance.
“As a major funding partner of US SHIP using Pork Checkoff funds, we’re encouraged to see the level of industry engagement and solidarity behind the core objectives of the plan to help improve the nation’s foreign animal disease readiness and protect our ability to maintain continuity of business in the face of a potential foreign animal disease outbreak,” said Dr Dusty Oedekoven, NPB’s chief veterinarian.
Per US SHIP’s original intent, the plan is to mitigate risks of disease introduction and provide a practical means for demonstrating evidence of freedom of disease outside of FAD control areas in support of ongoing interstate commerce and a pathway towards the resumption of international trade. When fully implemented, the program is designed to be applicable across the full spectrum of US pork industry participants, from the small show pig farmer to the large commercial producers and slaughter facilities.
The US SHIP Official State Agencies across the United States began the process of enrolling sites March 2022. Producers of all sizes are encouraged to contact their official state agency and enroll in US SHIP. To date, approximately 40% of the US breeding herd and growing pigs across 31 states have enrolled. The pilot program is on an expedited path towards becoming a US Department of Agriculture program by 2024.
In addition to support of US SHIP, NPB is also working to update the Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Checklist for pig farmers.
To stay up-to-date on the latest FAD resources available through the NPB, visit porkcheckoff.org and sign-up for the organization’s weekly email.