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Senators seek disaster aid for PEDv

A letter urging Ag Secretary Vilsack to approve disaster assistance for smaller pork producers affected by the PEDvirus has been sent by Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan.  The 2014 Farm Bill permanently extended the livestock disaster program.

With a mortality rate of nearly 100% among newborn piglets and the disease continuing to spread, the senators say pork herds –quote- “will continue to diminish and producers risk going out of business.” Their letter applauds the USDA for coming up with interventions to deal with PEDv and for working with pork industry stakeholders in research for a possible vaccine.