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Groups partner to better protect the U.S. from African Swine Fever

State, federal, and industry groups are partnering to better protect the U.S. from African swine fever. 

Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says NASDA, the USDA, the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council will be able to coordinate strategies for animal disease preparedness and response.

“If that awful disease ever hits our borders, a governor usually will call you before they call a state vet,” he says. “And sometimes political discussions need to come involved when pork can or can’t be shipped to nearby state processing plants or vice versa.”

NASDA and its members currently play a role in foreign animal disease prevention, mitigation, and recovery plans. He says this partnership will build upon those efforts. 

“We can bring some additional value in terms of the politics of the state or a voice that may not have been there in the past,” he says. 

McKinney says the group, and its members, will work closely with federal and state agencies, the swine industry, and farmers to take the necessary steps to protect the nation’s livestock industry.

The partnership was announced during the recent National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference.