News

Preventing ASF continues to be a priority for pork producers

The spread of African Swine Fever throughout Asia hasn’t slowed.

National Pork Producers Council chief veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom says the industry is working to keep the disease out of the U.S. And, strict biosecurity practices have helped prevent foreign animal diseases that have been endemic in China for several years out of the US.

“China has has Foot and Mouth Disease for 30 years,” she says.  “They’ve been positive for Classical Swine Fever forever.  They have a horrendous virulent pseudorabies virus.  And we’ve kept all of those out.”

She tells Brownfield pork producers are encouraged to remain vigilant in protecting their herd – because right now the only option for farms that test positive is depopulation.

“Identify a depopulation or disposal strategy if your farm were to go positive,” she says.  “Do you have enough land you could bury and is your water table low enough?  Do you have composting facilities you could use if you had to depopulate and compost on site.”

Wagstrom says they continue to remind consumers that this is a pig health concern, not a concern for human health or a food safety hazard.  The worry is that a meat product that contains the disease might make its way into an animal in the US.

AUDIO: Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian, NPPC