Agricultural News
$500 Million Being Invested to Protect U.S. Hog Industry Against African Swine Fever
Fri, 24 Dec 2021 12:00:59 CST
With African Swine Fever closer to U.S. soil than is comfortable for producers, it has been all hands on deck when it comes to biosecurity efforts at the National Pork Producers Council. Dr. Liz Wagstrom, the chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council, talked to KC Sheperd, director of Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about what it takes to be prepared.
"We are focused 24/7 on keeping ASF out of the United States," Wagstrom said. "Then being prepared to identify it if it arrives and have a good response to limit the damage it would do in the U.S."
According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the United States Department of Agriculture website, ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral swine of all ages. There is no cure at this time, therefore the only way to stop the disease is to depopulate affected or exposed swine herds.
The first cases of ASF were reported in China. By mid-2019, the virus had spread to every province and since has spread throughout Asia and most recently, cases were reported in the Dominican Republic. Officially, Chinese Government statistics showed a 40% decline in the swine population by Oct. 2019, although industry observers suggest losses far exceed that percentage.
With ASF so close to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, everyone is on high alert.
"We have been working closely with APHIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection," Wagstrom said. "We recently got $500 million to prevent and prepare for ASF. A lot of that is focused on the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, but it is all to help us protect the U.S. pork industry."
The effort and funds to fight ASF at the U.S. border are unprecedented, according to Wagstrom.
"A large portion of (the money) will go to help the Dominican Republic as they request help," Wagstrom said. "As a sovereign nation, we cannot tell them what to do."
More money is going to help Puerto Rico secure their borders also, she added.
"We were concerned that if there was an outbreak in Puerto Rico, we would have trading partners consider the entire U.S. to be positive," Wagstrom said. "USDA is there, doing more inspections for boat landings, depopulation feral pigs and increasing surveillance."
Additionally, funds are going to expand the capabilities of our National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Veterinary Stockpile, according to Wagstrom.
In other words, funds are going in every direction to mitigate the spread of ASF before it is found in the U.S. and prepare the country for an outbreak.
Hit the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC Sheperd and Dr. Liz Wagstrom talk about ASF and how Americans are working to protect the U.S. Pork Industry.
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